When was the last time someone got down on their hands and knees to help you find something you lost? I’m talking about under the table at a public restaurant type of hands and knees help! That is exactly what Senior Pastor Todd Wolfston did when, in a moment of severe dorkiness, I fumbled and dropped my wedding ring while at dinner with new our new friends in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

Why would I take my wedding ring off at dinner? Dumb, I know, but it was humid in VA and my hands we feeling a bit puffy! Ok, now back to my point. When I got up the nerve to reveal my lost treasure to a table full of guests, I expected everyone to politely take a peek down at the feet – you know – don’t make a scene. When the quick peek approach did not produce the gold, Pastor Todd got down on all fours and exposed the servanthood side of his friendship. As you can imagine, tables nearby soon started looking over and some even joined in on the search! In the end it was a girl at a nearby table that found the ring and put an end to our collaborative, team-building exercise!

What lessons did I learn from this experience?

First, it is very, very stupid to take your wedding ring off in public!

Second, when you do something stupid, it is tempting to pretend like it never happened. Admitting your mistake, as embarrassing as it may be, is the first step to finding a solution to the problem.

Third, when someone serves you in a “hands and knees” sort of way, it demonstrates a love that is not normal. It comes from a heart that understands what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “serve one another in love” (Gal. 5:13).

Fourth, outrageous acts of servanthood are contagious! Others have the courage to get in the game when they see you serve and treat others as more important as yourselves.

Fifth, it leads to long term relational trust. Demonstrations of love and servanthood like this are not easily forgotten.

What would it look like if pastors all over got down on their hands and knees for one another? What impact would that have on our churches? Our community? Our world? Let’s find out! Who can you serve today?

Bill Yaccino
Executive Director, Chicagoland Christ Together