Do you feel special when waiters say, “It’s my pleasure” after you thank them for serving you at a restaurant?
This particular acknowledgment may sound refined and flattering to some patrons and guests, yet others may think little of it. But what about the attendant’s sincerity?
“It’s my pleasure’ may sound fresh and trendy, but it’s not a unique response. The pleasure of serving others has its origin in Jesus Christ. Jesus’s “good pleasure” to serve us existed before the foundation of the world, humankind, and without a thank you from anyone or anything.
Let’s be honest!
The ugly truth is we’re flawed, self-indulging humans who prefer to be served as opposed to serving others. Have you seen people competing with one another to be a servant? Everyone wants to be a king or queen with as many servants as possible and all the pomp and circumstance.
Just as proper and pleasing, ‘you’re welcome’ is a more typical and expected response to thank you, and its sincerity can also be questioned. Thank you, and you’re welcome are the meat and potatoes of common courtesies. We learn them early in life and teach them to our children.
I’m not suggesting one response over the other; people can choose to use the one more fitting for them.
But sometimes, I wonder if the restaurant attendant’s pleasure is more about earning a paycheck than serving others. Statistics reflex that most people don’t love their jobs.
But let’s leave the servers alone; they’re just doing their job! ‘It’s my pleasure’ makes people feel good; perhaps the patrons leave a larger tip.
I would like to think that ‘It’s my pleasure’ is a type of gratification that needs nothing in return. If so, love is the tie that binds service to pleasure or happiness without tangible rewards. In the absence of a reward, service with pleasure is one characteristic of a Christian.
Of course, it’s my pleasure to take my granddaughters to a movie. But a Christian’s pleasure to serve extends beyond family and friends to anyone in need.
Because Jesus loves and cares for us when we don’t say thank you, His love allows us to do the same for others.
Jesus tells those who do and don’t know him that it’s His pleasure to provide for their needs. He more than welcomes us to dine at His table, live in His mansion, and drink from His everlasting fountain.
As Christians, serving all, regardless of race, political affiliation, religion, and other disparaging reasons is a pleasure.
As Christ’s servants, it’s our pleasure to do our best to serve others, knowing we will receive His blessings and heavenly reward.
Christians know loving and serving others as Christ loves and serves us is serving with pleasure.
Luke 12:32 (KJV) says,” Fear not, little flock; for it is your father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Wow!
And verse 37 of the same chapter says, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
Christ’s ‘good pleasure’ is salvation for all who will serve others and believe in Him.
I believe the Word of God!
Be well.