Doing the Unpleasant Things

In every business, organization or effort there are always things that no one really desires to do, but they must be done.

On the football field, the undesirables are two-a-day practices in the scorching August sun. Those undesirables will later lead to a team that can withstand the pressures of a four-quarter game in December, January and maybe February.

In the workplace, no one desires to take out the trash, clean the toilets, or even do the mundane work of the office.

In a volunteer organization, it is easy to get volunteers for stuff that is relatively easy, or the things that really make a difference. It isn't so easy to find people willing to do the difficult and trying tasks without being compensated in some way. More on this in just a moment.

Jesus gave us THE example that as Christ-followers, we need to be willing to joyfully do the unpleasant things in life. John 13 records Jesus' final meal before his arrest and execution. As the disciples arrived in the room where they would have this last supper, Jesus does something his followers have never witnessed. The man who spoke and lived out humility displayed it by becoming a servant, and washing his disciples' feet.

This was the job of a slave, and not the King of Kings...or so the disciples believed. We get Peter's astonished reaction, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” No doubt everyone in the room was wondering why Jesus was doing someone else's job. I suppose there was a slave standing nearby wondering who took their job...and WHY???

Jesus doesn't keep his men in suspense. He tells them outright in verse 16 why he washed their feet, "I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message." Jesus was living out this statement in relation to God the Father, but He also wanted the disciples to learn this truth.

It's a difficult truth to swallow, because our human nature is full of pride. We don't want to stoop into servanthood unless we're going to get something out of it, like a pay check. Being a servant with no compensation goes completely against our nature. Yet, Jesus demonstrated that He wants us to be willing to do the unpleasant things. In verse 17, He says, "Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."

I write about the church a lot, and I think this story applies directly to how we volunteer in the church. I see a lot of people what are willing to tackle the easy chores, or the ones where a lot of other people are at, but not many are willing to do the difficult or disgusting tasks.

Ministry can be very fun, but there are always times of humbling that must occur for us to become more like Jesus. We need these times to keep our pride in check. And, it is during these times as a servant that others take notice, and are drawn to Jesus.

So, what about you? What is it that you find unpleasant that God has asked you to do? Jesus washing the disciples feet only took a few minutes. Chances are, what God wants you to do may last only an hour a week, or it might be a one-time deal.