I once went to this little restaurant in a tiny town near to where I was living. It wasn’t my usual spot, but I thought, why not try something different? Spoiler: it was a mistake.
My server looked like they were either in high school or early 20s—it was hard to tell because their face was glued to their phone the entire time. I was the only customer there, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the service. Honestly, I half-wondered if I’d walked into a haunted restaurant and the server was just a ghost scrolling TikTok.
Over the next 90 minutes, I saw my server only a handful of times. I had to get up for a drink refill, chase them down for silverware, and by the time I got condiments, I was almost finished eating. Finally, when I asked for the check, I was told, “We close in 10 minutes, so you’ll have to leave.”
When I asked to speak to the manager, an untidy man came out, clearly frustrated that I was interrupting whatever was happening in the kitchen. I explained the poor service and that I wouldn’t be tipping because nothing was earned. He shrugged and muttered, “We done.” Then, as he walked away, I heard him say loudly: “The guy’s Scottish, so you were never getting a tip anyway!”
That comment stung, but it also reminded me of something: how easy it is for all of us to serve poorly. Whether it’s waiting tables, working in an office, or even serving in our churches, we can slip into doing the bare minimum, grumbling, or treating people like interruptions instead of opportunities.
Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43–45, ESV).
We’re called to serve as unto the Lord, not halfheartedly, not distracted, and not only when it benefits us. Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, ESV).
Looking back, that little restaurant was a reminder that poor service can drive people away. In life, the same is true—when we serve grudgingly or with a bad attitude, we push people away from the love of Christ instead of drawing them in.
The restaurant eventually closed, and I can’t help but think their service had something to do with it. May we not let the same thing happen to our witness. Instead, let’s reflect Jesus, who knelt with a towel and washed His disciples’ feet. True greatness in His kingdom comes through humble, joyful service.
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