If by way of conversation someone asks us what comes to thought when the word "serve" is mentioned, we sometimes picture one who does menial service, or one required to do some unpleasant or difficult work which has been assigned to him. Frequently a feeling of compulsion, of submission to the will of a master, sometimes even bitterness about the kind of work required, seems to be associated with the word. If, however, we consider the word in the light of Christian Science, we no longer see in it these negative aspects.

In the Bible the words "serve" and "servant" are often used in connection with God and the worship of God. Some of the great Jewish leaders and kings, such as Moses, David, and Daniel, were servants of "the living God." Samuel, who had been dedicated as a boy to the service of the Lord, became a prophet and a judge. Through his humility, courage, and trust in God from childhood, David reached the heights of kingship. As we compare these individuals with one another, we realize that they all had certain qualities of character which constituted their greatness. First and foremost we find a sense of obedience. Each of those mentioned did what God required of him.

In Christ Jesus we perceive the highest type of servant, whose unsurpassed humility is often recorded in the Gospels. In many of his parables Jesus spoke about real service—for example, in the parable of the talents entrusted to the servants (Matt. 25:14-30). In this parable Jesus refers to the reward given to a "good and faithful servant," namely to be made "ruler over many things."

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, devoted her life to the service of God and man. In one of her poems, "Christ My Refuge," she says (Poems, p. 12),

In these words is expressed the humility she lived. The results springing from her humility and obedience to God are an imperishable memorial to this spiritual quality. Not only did she bear the cross, but she was able, in her spiritual strength and her unswerving faith, to "kiss the cross." She awoke to the understanding of "a world more bright." Through her life and her works she proved herself to be a servant of God, who, having kissed the cross, received the crown.

We all receive instructions from God when we listen for His voice. An obedient individual, one who follows God's direction, learns to understand God's will. He knows that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom. 8:28); that obedience to God leads one upward and onward.

To understand God's direction, we must wait humbly on His Word. At times it may be difficult to have patience enough to wait. However, humility often includes patience, and patience must be practiced along with other Christian virtues.

In her article entitled "Obedience" our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117): "God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one's way when one is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance."

Humility is not weakness or servility. It is a positive quality. There are many instances in the Bible which make clear to us that the humble individual is "lifted up" by God. In Job we read (22:29), "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person." A true servant, then, is one who in humility gains all. He is subject to God, not subordinate to another's will, and he obeys God's will.

Understanding more fully what true service is, we see our relations to our employers in a different light. We see that we are not serving a person or persons, but that God alone is our employer. This being so, all the tools we require are gifts of God; they are always clean, perfect, and ready for use, like those in a master's workshop. As the reflection of God we have all we need for our work. In one of her poems, "Satisfied," Mrs. Eddy says (Poems, p. 79),

Experiences which from a human standpoint would have seemed unbearable have proved to me to be blessings. Through them I have learned that I could rely absolutely on God for He is the only real employer. It has also become clear to me that self-abnegation is something quite positive. It is the renunciation of a false, material self through the recognition of true selfhood as the expression of God.

The strenuous physical work I was obliged to do during World War II did not harm my hands, although at times it seemed as though it might. Despite the fact that the work had no similarity whatever to my former profession, I learned to do it joyously and willingly. Later on I was able to return to my profession without having suffered any ill effects from those difficult years.

What comfort we gain in serving when we take Christ Jesus as our example. The duties we need to carry out become easier when we bear in mind those wonderful words spoken by our Saviour to his disciples (Matt. 11:29, 30): "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."