LIFE SCRIPTS

He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Genesis 18:3‭-‬8 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.18.3-8.NIV

In the hospitality industry, the phrase, ‘at your service’ usually denotes a desire to serve a visitor. Abraham’s heart went beyond just a desire to serve his visitors to a desire to be favored by them so that he could serve them (verse 3). He did not take the presence of the Lord for granted. He took it as a privilege that God would choose to be served by Him. A rare attitude in our day and age. Abraham did not just seek favour to serve God. He went on further to serve Him the best way he could once the Lord agreed to be hosted by him. From verse 4 to verse 8, we see the kind of work Abraham put in preparing a meal for the visitors. Scripture in fact informs us that he not only picked livestock but the choicest of them all. He prepared a meal we could only refer to as a three course meal. He put in a lot of effort within the shortest span of time to serve the visitors with nothing but the very best. As we serve God, do we do it the best way we can? If we sing, do we sing the best way we can? If we act, do we put up a world-class performance? If we play soccer to minister do we do so wholeheartedly? Abraham used his best to serve his visitors…to serve his God. Can we do the same? Lastly, the end of verse 8 alludes to a very important attitude we should have even as we are busy serving God. Scripture says that ‘while they ate, he stood near them under a three’. Abraham had a still posture before the Lord after service to Him. Not only was service only about giving but also about an expectation from God. Being in someone’s service has got more to do with listening to them than doing things for them. Evidently, the visitors must have been hungry. So Abraham got them food and drink. Afterwards, he stood near them to respond to any other requests from them. It’s the same way with service to God. Many times, we serve God in ministries forgetting that this work is His work and not ours. It’s His job and not ours. If we can dedicate time listen to Him we could serve Him better. Probably we might need to change the approach we have as we serve. Perhaps we might need to rethink about a ministry we could be more effective in. As we listen to God, He leads us in His perfect will for us. Abraham wasn’t just a busybody but was a servant who had a listening ear hearkening to his Master.