DR Travel Log # 1

One month from today, I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic. During the mission trip orientation meeting, it was recommended that we start praying about what God will do in the lives of those whom we will meet and in our hearts. I hear this often about people that travel on mission trips are often the ones that are changed instead of those you are serving. I know God is at work with this trip. I have also heard from several others how God is working in their lives too. That's very encouraging to me.

This morning as I am reading John 13 about the Passover celebration of Jesus. He is spending some time with his best friends and knows that his time with them is very short. What struck me about this chapter, was he didn't give a long oration of all the things he forgot to say during the previous 3 years of teaching, like one would cram for a test. He was a peace or so it seemed. There were no freak outs knowing that he was going to die in a few short hours. There was no angst as to what was ahead, no jitters or whining. But there was simple servant hood. Jesus knew the plan, He knew that Judas was going to betray him, when and how. v. 3 "Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God." So instead of dismissing himself from the gathering as one would think, to retreat by himself, He does the ultimate. He serves.

He humbles himself. v.4 "So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, v.5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel had around him." Jesus didn't hesitate to serve his friends, even the one who was going to betray and deny him. These friends were going to leave him when he was at his most desperate point in all of his life. Yet he was on his knees, washing their feet. It didn't matter that he was the Savior of the world, miracle worker, great teacher, and healer. He took off his pride and humility and served. He did the lowest job, but he served in love.

This speaks volumes to me. Jesus gives the most perfect example to follow. Let this be a model of servant hood. As Jesus serves so shall we. And as we serve, let love be our guide.