Most worshiping Christians are familiar with at least that part of a wonderful prayer by St. Francis of Assisi that goes this way:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.1

These words reach into the deepest meaning of service, but note this very significant feature: St. Francis combines serving with being. Many people, even among church members, think that running to and fro in a fever of busyness is the sum total of true service. Nothing is further from the truth. It can avoid such important questions as these: Does who and what we are color the helpfulness of our doing? What is the end note of ou…