We serve God by serving others. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If we can demand service from others, we’ve arrived. In our self-serving culture with it me first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept at all. Jesus however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines our greatness by how many people we serve, not how many people serve us.
Today more and more Christians want to be leaders, not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That’s what He called Himself. Remember, God saved you and I for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant’s heart, we will be tempted to misuse our call for personal gain. We will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt ourselves from meeting some needs. God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not called and very unfamiliar with us.
Our call reveals our ministry, but our servant’s heart will reveal our maturity. No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character. It is possible to serve in church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. We must have a servant’s heart.
Reflections:
How can you know if you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, "By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16) and another translation says, "You can tell what they are by what they do"(Matthew 7:1).
Power verses:
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."--1 Peter 5:5
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.---Ephesians 5:21
2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.
The Hebrew bondman in Exodus 21 says, "I love ..." The more we love the more we will follow the perfect Servant, Christ.
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