‘Serve without seeking reward!’

As the Barbados Lions Club started their 100th anniversary celebrations with a church service at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Archbishop the Most Reverend, Dr. The Honourable John Holder, emphasised the importance of serving others without the expectation of any compensation in return.

 

Referencing Luke Chapter 22, verse 27, Dr. Holder highlighted Jesus’ opinion of service, stating that he who serves is greater than he who is at the table. Thus, Dr. Holder noted that life is an opportunity to be of service to other persons as it adds a positive element to society by looking beyond self.

 

Moreover, Dr. Holder cautioned that there is a difference between service and servitude even though many people often mix them up. He explained that many people were caught between the two, and thus, expect rewards for their service. He went on to say that the value of service needs to be clear and it is the responsibility of all to be at their best when seeking to serve.

 

Commenting on the poor service that is sometimes seen in some sectors of Barbados, Dr. Holder posited that the ultimate goal is to make life better for someone else. Giving an example of this, the Reverend pointed to the disposal of garbage. He stated that while persons are paid to collect garbage; we must do our part in ensuring that it is properly disposed of rather than littering and using prices at the dump as excuses to dump illegally. Emphasising that this is a critical area of Barbadian life, Dr. Holder urged all to accept responsibility to make the country better.

 

Turning his attention to the Lions present as he closed, Dr. Holder offered a word of encouragement, “I urge the Lions here today to continue to work to help this society of ours to understand that service is not a negative quality; but a positive one. It is one that can bring out the very best in us. It helps us to see our brothers and sisters who are our responsibility, as we are theirs. In a world that seems far more interested in taking, instead of giving, focusing on ‘what is in it for me’, instead of ‘what can I do to help others’, your focus on service is a refreshing alternative. It is a reminder that we are our brother’s keeper.”