I am a Servant. Is that a Bad Thing?

I had the privelege and responsibility of introducing a lesson to our new student governmnet class for the Spring. I chose the lesson titled Servant Leadership, not knowing what I would learn from it. After researching what exactly it means to be one, I aspire to be just that. Webster defines a servant as one that performs duties of a master. The Bible defines it as service for the Master. Applying Webster's version to Student Government, I began to talk about how we, as leaders of our school, need to be persistent workers, helpers, and role models, regardless of where we are on the hierarchy of "status" in Student Government. I extended this thought beyond solely Student Government. If Servant Leadership was supposed to be such an amazing trait to have, who am I serving every day-with a grateful heart?

As Christians we serve God every day, but there is something more to it. Unlike Servant Leadership is defined, with God there is a two-way relationship. This relationship is fulfilling and inspiring, unlike a draining job where we serve people and earthly things. I have always known God to be the source of hope, wisdom and direction, but there is more than that. As a servant, we must love our job but not our people, but to be a servant of God, we love our mission, our God and the people. If we love God, we love people. If we love people, we love God. It is as simple, and beautiful as that. 

My Unexpectadly Remarkable Summer

Yes, I will admit it...I will never forget that soon-to-be-summer day. I sat organizing food for the snack bar at my highschool, happy as ever, waiting for the annual Powderpuff game. The day swiftly turned for me though...with three words: "Dr. Kiley called."
I had been going to the doctor often...almost every day, actually. Test after test, needle after needle, it wasn't very pleasant to say the least. But I prayed..it truly is the only thing that keeps the filled mind at rest. As I sat in the waiting room of the oncology offices at Kaiser Morse Avenue, I felt something. My knees were shaking and my palms were cold. I definately did not want to be at this lifeless place. They attemted to lighten up the room with happy sayings and little brightly colored wristbands, but it truly is difficult to let your impending discouragement and never ending thoughts to settle, and be elevated by the colors and wristbands. I needed something more. Something to ease the tension for solely that one day. I had to be strong.
The usual weight, height and blood pressure tests were occuring, but I cannot even remember that. All I wanted was to see my doctor, who know appeared to be a father considering the amount of times I had looked him in the eye. He sat down on the crackly paper on the bed and did not have the encouraging face I was desperate to see.
The summer of 2008 was an obstacle I could have never expected to encounter. But I learned something. God is NEVER failing. At the lowest of lows in the doctor's office that say I told you I felt something. I sensed God's grip on me throught the hot summer days in Granite Bay.
He is my stabilizer, my listener, my supporter, and my redeeemer. I have always been a among people of the church. But I can truly say for the first time, I am a follower and disciple. The insurmountable love I felt from God day after day in the months of July and August will be a constant reminder of his never failing presence. I have always heard that God seems to be asked for when the times are tough...and yes I do know I can only be another person that supports that theory.
Was God challenging me? Was he testing me? Was he showing others my strength? Or was he only showing himself to me in a way he knew I would have open eyes and ears to see him. Whatever the case may be, God was and is with me. I trust that he will constantly be there, and I am now on a mission. To feel his presence when the times are not so tough, and to serve him until the day I leave this earth to be with him.
The questions at the beginning of the summer mainly consisted of "Why me?", but now I am hearing myself say, "Thank you, God". Thank you pushing me to the depths of earthly despair only to revel in the light and hope of the salvation you provide us. It must be part of God's plan that I am healthy now. And of course I am grateful, and I feel strong-physically and spiritually.
The summer of 2008 was one of remarkability. My continuous struggle to be perfect was for once succumbed by my God. I feel at peace and empowered more than I ever would have felt on my own. As I walked into the doctor's office for another precautionary exam, I felt your hands gripping my shoulders-letting me lead the way, but feeling your comfort and guidance.
Thank you Lord for letting me experience you at such a young age, and let me walk with and for you forever.