Faith at the Edge: Servant’s Heart (Edge of the Galaxy)

STARLOG ENTRY 1.003
​(SAMPLE FROM EDGE OF THE GALAXY)

 With two new families— seven additional people in total— arriving on Provider in the next week, there is a lot of other work to be done, in addition to the tasks required for my family’s mission to Titan. My sister, Aurora, and I were assigned to set up one of the two empty living pods. The pods in this section of the orbital station still had to be furnished with beds, storage, a sitting area, and a workstation. And since Provider has simulated gravity, the task wouldn’t be as easy as zero-G pie.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know what to do; KEWD had loaded the diagram for the new spaces on my mTab, and the materials to complete the task were just outside in the corridor. I was confident I could handle this job; I’m good at working with my hands, at construction and general problem- solving. The problem was. . . why. I wasn’t going to be living in this pod. My family was already doing all the work preparing the settlement on Titan. 

Why couldn’t the newcomers build their own pods?

“All right, no more procrastinating,” Aurora said. “We’ve got to get this done. We need to start with the beds. Since this one is for the Evolt family, we only need three.”

I took a deep breath and tapped the mTab. “What kind of name is Evolt?”

“What kind of name is Gavin?” Aurora countered, retrieving a long pole from the corridor.

“I still don’t understand why we have to do this,” I said. “It’s not written in our mission requirements to set up other families’ beds. We had to set up our own.”

But Aurora was focused. She locked a long support pole into place and then disappeared into the corridor for another. I followed and grabbed the netted bed frame. Once the second support was in place, I attached the bunk.

“We don’t even know these people,” I said. “I mean, not really. Sure, we’ve had vid- chats, but we don’t really know them. And Comet said they aren’t our type of people.” 

Aurora stopping working for a moment and sighed. But then we got back on task. Once all three bunks were set up, the sitting area was next. We deployed a wide foam couch along with two chairs. Then we constructed a low, round table, using materials from out in the corridor. I grunted and plopped onto the couch, sinking into the responsive foam. “I think we’ve done enough.”

Aurora turned and lowered herself into a chair, then folded her hands. “Gavin, you’ve been complaining about this job a lot,” she began. “Do you recall the oath you took?”

My cheeks warmed.
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“To serve others by selflessly going beyond the known limits of humankind,” Aurora quoted. “Did you know this was meant to speak not only to geographical or physical limits, but also our mental and emotional limits?”

Sure, I knew that. My parents had explained it to me, using a story from the Bible. I knew Aurora was about to remind me of that.

“Comet’s right in the fact that we are different from those who will be joining us on Titan, but our difference is exactly why we are setting up this pod. And remember that we are not only called to serve others, but to do so selflessly and often without reward,” Aurora said. “It’s like the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. The disciples considered Him their master, yet He served them by washing their dirty feet. He wasn’t required to; He did it to selflessly serve them, to show them compassion and love.”

“I. . .” Words escaped me; I knew she was right. But sometimes it was hard to live out what I read in the Bible. To be what I proclaimed to be.

“Look, Gav, I know it’s not easy. We’ve been working hard for a long time to prepare for this moment, and it feels like these two families are coming after we’ve put so much into this--and they will get to benefit from all our hard work.” Aurora paused and leaned forward. “But that’s also what we get to do. We get to benefit from what Jesus did on the cross. So, what really matters is that by our servanthood, others might come to know the love of Jesus. As Christians, we’re called to a higher standard.”

I nodded, “You’re right. I’m sorry for complaining.”

“No one said any of this would be easy,” she said. “Whether exploring a celestial body in space or serving the Creator of it all,  we’ll always face challenges and adversity. Compared to some of the trials that other Christians throughout history have faced, this is pretty easy. But it might not always be, so we need to preparehowever we can.”

“Yeah, I guess I can finish a few more pieces of furniture,” I said. I stood and pulled Aurora to her feet. “I’ll try to do it with a smile on my face—and in my heart.”

“That’s the way,” Aurora said.

Devotional

Sometimes it’s a challenge to help others out, and it can even more difficult to help while having a good attitude and not complaining.

Aurora reminded Gavin about the time Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Back in Jesus’ time, men and women walked everywhere in sandals. The roads were made of dirt, which meant there was a lot of mud when it rained. On top of that, the primary means of transportation were horses, donkeys, and camels. Now what do you think was left all over the roads?

All that to say, feet are pretty gross. Yet, without hesitation, Jesus filled a bowl with water, knelt before His disciples, and washed their feet. Jesus wanted them to follow His example and show others the same kind of compassion and love He showed them.

Leaders aren’t more important than those who follow. And those who follow aren’t more important than those who lead.

God created every single person. He wants His children to be an example of His love to everyone they encounter.

Exploration Questions:

1. Read the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples found in John 13:1-20. What can you learn about the heart of Jesus from the way He treats His disciples?

​2. How can you be an example of God’s love for the people you know? How can you be an example of God’s love to a stranger?

Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures

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