Service to God

I was reading Philip Yancey's book entitled "The Jesus I Never Knew" just now, on the chapter pertaining to the profile of Jesus when I saw these descriptions of Jesus.

"Jesus did not mechanically follow a list of "Things I Gotta Do Today"...He attended wedding feasts that lasted for dys. He let himself get distracted by any "nobody" he came across, whether a hamorrhaging woman who shyly touched his robe or a blind beggar who made a nuisance of himself. Two of his most impressive miracles took place because he arrived too late to heal the sick person...

Jesus was "the man for others"...He lept himself free - free for the other person. He would almost accept anybody's invitation to dinner and as a result no public figure had more a diverse list of friends, ranging from rich people, Roman centurions, and Pharisees to tax collectors, prostitutes, and leprosy victims..."

What struck me was the example of Jesus in living His Father's will in such a manner (He lived his life normally, going about doing his daily chores and duties while ministering to other people through his daily activities) - a stark contrast as to the example of Paul, whose famous words is to be Acts 20:24

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

I had come across some individuals within church in the past who kept on glorifying this ideal. They would often quote the example of Paul in fulfilling the Great Commission and would use this verse to urge all their followers to follow the example of Paul. The result of such kind of ministry is that the church simply have no time for people who can't match up nor measure up. Another result is that the church don't have time to reflect upon past mistakes, nor change for the better. "Move on with God and serve God" they said and "Leave the past behind."

There is nothing absolutely wrong with the life of Paul. The issue arises when his ideal and the example is overly emphasized by some individuals as compared to other biblical heroes whose faith, character, belief and deeds ought to be embraced as well. After reading this descriptions from Philip Yancey, I can't help but to say this - I would rather follow the example of Jesus than Paul, to the dismay of those individuals whom I had encountered in the past.

To those who are still in such a system whereby serving God equals to giving all your time to church and its activities, and you do not simply have time for other peope, a food for thought- How to reconcile the life of Jesus (seemingly free and available for people) as compared to the life of Paul (rushed, kept on doing things for God)?

What is God's will when comes to serving Him? What constitutes our service to God?