Service with a smile

Yesterday, we had a look at Nehemiah’s prayer. Did you notice the last line?

Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.  Nehemiah 1:11

This man? Which man? Who is he talking about? What does he have in mind?

The next line makes it clearer –

I was cupbearer to the king.  Nehemiah 1:11

Well, a little clearer, anyway.

The king? Which king? Surely not the king of Babylon? How could one of the exiles be cupbearer to the king? How could he get himself into such a role?

The royal cupbearer has daily access to the king. His task is to taste the king’s wine to ensure that it isn’t poisoned. What a responsibility! A role of complete trust. Nehemiah is risking his own life with every sip to protect the life of the king. How could he bring himself to take on this role? Serving loyally the king of Babylon who had created so much suffering for Nehemiah’s own people? Maybe Nehemiah had not been given a choice. Or maybe he had faithfully given of his best in every task until he had been given this important, highly esteemed job.

On one level, this reminds me of my job at Asda. When I got the job, my friends and family were surprised and shocked. One friend thought it was a mid life crisis and would quickly pass. Some people thought working on checkouts was below me. I had a degree, after all. What would I do this for? Some people felt sorry for me. Can they be that short of money that she would work for the minimum wage? Some people thought it was appalling I was prepared to work for a global force like Walmart, which they considered to exploit its workers and embody Western capitalism and unfair practices.

From day one, I loved my job. I went to work every single day to give of my best. My aim has always been to make the store a better place for customers and colleagues. I’ve always worked as hard as I can, tried to act with integrity and respect every individual – customer and colleague. I am there to serve. I take that seriously. I’ve always tried to do exactly what I’ve been asked to do – and do it to the highest standard I can. I’ve been given the responsibility to speak up for others colleagues on the Colleague Voice. I have been given the opportunity to serve the local community and support local charities and good causes. I have been given the wonderful experience of going to America for the Walmart Associates Week as an ambassador for Asda in the UK. I have been given the task of active selling at the front of the store, to be the welcome team, to be the face at the door. Each of those tasks comes with responsibility. I’ve had to earn that responsibility. I have had to prove myself hard-working and loyal and trustworthy. I have to continue to serve faithfully every single shift.

I don’t know why I applied for that job or got it. I don’t know why I ended up there. But I am so glad I did. Honestly. It has changed me. And I’ve played a part in making that store a lovely place for customers to shop (many customers comment on that – of course, there are always a few who do not!) and and a positive environment for my colleagues to work in. Working within the largest retailer on the planet to bring good in our small corner. I believe that my role at Asda Living Gateshead has been God-given – but I have had to play my part too and embrace the Asda values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence.

They’re good values, you know. We can all embrace them in whatever role we have, whatever job we have, whatever task is before us today. Have respect for the individual. Value integrity. Provide great service. Strive for excellence. Nehemiah must have lived by these values to have got into the position he now finds himself.

I will continue to give my all in my work, whatever anyone else may say or think.