Service

I am rereading the revised edition of what to my mind is a classic. First written in 1980, Eugene Peterson's, A Long Obedience In the Same Direction, brings the "Psalms of Ascent" into our lives with fresh instruction on the basics of a life of freedom and faithfulness to God.

I offer a few thoughts about Service taken from Chapter 5, which bears that title:

"In Psalm 123 we observe that aspect of life that takes place under the form of servanthood.

"'I look up to you heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.' The servant assumes a certain posture, a stance. If he or she fails to take that posture, attentive responsiveness to the master's commands will be hard. . . .

"The psalm has nothing in it about serving others. It concentrates on being a servant to God. Its position is that if the attitude of servanthood is learned, by attending to God as Lord, then serving others will develop as a very natural way of life. Commands will be heard . . . and carried out with ease and poise. . . .

"The consequences are all positive. I have never yet heard a servant Christian complain about the oppressiveness of his servitude. I have never yet heard a servant Christian rail against the restrictions of her service. A servant Christian is the freest person on earth."