It is an Honor to Serve God

This is Day 10 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

I realize it has fallen out of favor, but my wife and I love Gone with the Wind. It's such a good movie, though the second half gets a bit long. There is a great scene at the Wilkes' BBQ when Scarlett is eating her BBQ surrounded by all of the eligible men at the party. She finishes eating and then the men fight over who gets the honor of getting her dessert. Scarlett eventually settles on Charles Hamilton. Charles responds by saying, "thank you, oh thank you, Miss O'Hara." One of the Tarleton twins is heard saying of Charles, "ain't he the luckiest."

All of the men at the BBQ recognized that Scarlett was bestowing a favor on Charles by allowing him to serve her. She could have bestowed that gift on anyone, or she could have gotten her own dessert, but she chose Charles. In that moment Charles felt like the luckiest man in the world to receive such an honor and he properly demonstrated his gratitude.

This is the correct response to be allowed to serve God. We should treat it as the greatest honor in the world. Unfortunately, we too often get things reversed. We act like we're doing God a favor instead of the other way around. Imagine, if President Biden named someone to a cabinet position or ambassadorship, and the person acted as though he/she were doing Biden a favor by accepting it. But that's exactly what is happening when we act as though serving God is doing Him a favor.

God does not need us to feed the poor, or build churches, or convert the world. He doesn't need us for anything. But sometimes He graciously grants us the honor of serving Him. Instead of acting like God is the buddy who asked us to help him move, we should act more like Charles Hamilton in recognizing that it is an honor and privilege to get Scarlett a piece of cake. We should thank God for allowing such unworthy souls as ourselves participate in His holy plan.

Today's prayer: Lord, please help me to always remember that serving You is an honor that I do not deserve. Help me to always be grateful.

R.C. VanLandingham lives in Florida with his wife and kids. He is the author of several books including the Christian fantasy books Peter Puckett & The Amulet of Eternity, Peter Puckett & the Enchanted Chalice, and Magdalene Hope & the Elves of Evermore.