The Heart of Service: A Communion Reflection

It was a beautiful yet typical Communion service at church. We had celebrated this sacred event many times before, and it had always run smoothly. However, this time was a bit different.

After sharing the Bread of Communion, we moved on to the Cup. The elders of the church passed trays of small cups filled with juice to the congregation and then returned to the altar. As they handed me, the pastor, the trays, I proceeded to serve the elders in turn. Just as I finished serving them, I returned the tray to the altar, took the last cup of juice into my hand, and turned toward the congregation of believers.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, one of the elders suddenly rushed down the center aisle of the church. Everyone froze. We had no idea what had happened or why he left so abruptly. Within minutes, the elder returned, carefully holding an extra cup of juice. He gently placed the cup on the tray behind me on the altar. We then continued and concluded the service.

Afterward, intrigued by his actions, a few others and I asked why he had retrieved another cup. The elder explained that he had not noticed the cup already in my hand and thought we had run out. Not wanting me to go without, he rushed to get another one. With a heart full of concern and a deep desire to serve, he went the extra mile.

The Power of Selfless Service

Acts of service are not always understood at first glance. They may even be misinterpreted, but sincere service, when received, is truly humbling and deeply appreciated. When Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with His saliva, and placed it on the eyes of a blind man, people likely questioned what was happening. Some may have even hesitated to let Him continue. Yet, the miraculous outcome is revealed in John 9:7:

“So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

Jesus served this man with an astounding miracle. While we may not have the power to perform miracles, we can still serve others in meaningful ways. A single act of kindness can create a ripple effect, positively impacting not just one individual but countless others who witness and wonder. True service comes from the heart, and in its purest form, it reflects the love of Christ.

May we all be inspired to serve selflessly, knowing that even the simplest acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact.