What comes to mind when you think of what the word "servant" means? Service is much more than just filling a “position” but a matter of the heart. The bigger issue is that you just may be missing out on something God has in mind for you by choosing to be uninvolved. We are all competitive in some way. What about being “first in line!” or beating others to the car by saying, “shotgun.” We live in a competitive world (sports, school, friendships, parents, image and more). But what about when competition enters the life of a Christian? What does the greatest person look like in the kingdom of God? The disciples had an argument of who would be the greatest. Jesus helps put everything in perspective:
Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35
Considers others before yourself. Jesus portrayed the ultimate example of humility and unconditional love by even washing Judas’ feet (John 13:1-11). Feet are nasty! Jesus signified spiritual washing through the cross. A servant asks, “What can I do for others?” instead of “What can they do for me? Servant leadership invites a relationship. Jesus didn’t come to be ministered too, he came to minister.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
This week, serve where God is nudging, and trust God to do what only God can do. Serving God is where the most growth occurs!
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:43-45.