The servant is served

After Philippians 1:1-2

A servant works to serve,

to provide, to do as directed,

do it well and with good heart.

And in this process of serving,

the servant in turn receives,

is served, because that’s how

it works, how it replicates

itself, because by serving,

the seed is watered,

the seed sprouts,

the seed grows.

The servant is both

the planter and the seed.

Photograph by Jeremy Yap via Unsplash. Used with permission.

A simple greeting

After Philippians 1:1-2

Just a simple greeting,

not much more than

a hello, a short salutation,

a few words, but a greeting

packed with meaning:

the sender, a servant,

a helper;

the receivers: servants

and overseers. The word

for both is stated

and implied: servant,

the people who serve

others.

That is the story,

the point. That’s what

it was and is and will be.

Photograph by Rawpixel via Unsplash. Used with permission.

A wick

After Isaiah 42:1-13

A wick burning

faintly, a reed

bruised, an aim

unwavering, a courage

undaunted, a servant

delighting the soul

of his master, a servant

infused with the master’s

spirit. And so behold:

the servant comes,

singing.

Photograph by Alex Holyoake via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The servant

After Isaiah 42:1-13

So who is this servant

we’re told to behold?

We’re not told his name

or his family or position;

what matters is

who’s upholding

who’s chosen

who creates delight

who will not break

who will not cry out

who will not faint

who will not be 

   discouraged

who will establish

   justice

who will not shatter

despite the bruise.

The servant is the Lord

is the servant

is the Lord

Photograph by Gian D via Unsplash. Used with permission.

I do not come

After 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

I do not come to lead

I do not come to rule

I do not come to sit

   upon a throne

I do not come for glory

I do not come for reputation

I do not come to find

   favor with men

I do not come to impress

I do not come to entertain

I do not come for recognition

   or money or power

I come to serve

and give myself away.

I am a servant

After 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

I am a servant, a slave

to all, to win them, to win

as many as possible.

I am a Jew, a Greek, a Roman

a teacher, a rabbi, a tentmaker,

a voice in the marketplace,

a rabble-rouser, a troublemaker.

I am all things to all,

to win them

to give them

life

it is all I believe

it is all I desire

it is all I do

to win them

to serve them

Photograph by Circe Denyer via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

Consider feet

After John 13:1-17

Consider feet:

feet sandaled,

feet attracting dust,

dirt and grime, mud

gained simply

by walking, or running,

feet, dirty feet,

to be washed by hand,

my hand,

because he did it

first, for me to follow,

to wash as the lowest

servant in the household.

Photograph by Linaea Mallette via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

Two freedoms

What is it I asked

what is this news

he said it is two:

freedom from

freedom to

freedom from what

enslaves

freedom to be

a servant

A contradiction I said

a reality he said

smiling

one does not exist

without the other

Photograph by George Hodan via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

Save my servant

I am not worthy to ask

my soul scalds my heart

scalds my heart

to talk with you, to be

this close. I am not worthy.

I ask you to save the dying

to heal the sick

to cleanse the filthy.

I ask you, even though

I am not worthy to ask

I am not worthy to ask.

Photograph by Petr Kratochvil via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.