October 24, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 43
“Serving God consists in serving our fellow man, as Christ and His apostles did; it does not consist of hiding away forever in the solitude of a monastery.”
Martin Luther
When it came to the solitude that can be found in monasteries, Martin Luther knew what he was talking about. Being a Catholic monk, he lived the vow of solitude and found comfort within the monastery walls.
But, within his Augustine order, he also learned the value of serving those beyond the walls of the monastery. A monk would often serve the communities outside by caring for the sick, finding and feeding the hungry and bringing the Good news to the lost. He knew that a Christian life without service was really no Christian life at all.
God said through the Apostle Peter, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Peter, like Martin, knew that the gifts God bestows on us are gifts meant to be shared for the benefit of all mankind.
Of course, the greatest example of this kind of service was found in our Savior. His entire life was one of service. He said as much in Matthew 20:25-28 when He said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Our Savior does not expect any more from us than He was willing to give himself. Yet so many fail to answer the call, becoming too content to watch the work being done from their church pews or their living room couches. As the world seemingly falls apart around us, we find comfort within our new monastery walls, too set in our solitude to break free from solitary confinement and serve as Christ served.
Today, search for ways to serve your neighbor and break free from your comfort zone to meet the challenges that so many are facing.
Our prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us for finding comfort in letting others do your work here on earth. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us to service so that Your will might be done. Amen.
