Day 33 - How Real Servants Act
We serve God by serving others…
It really is amazing to see different perspectives on the same topic isn’t it? The “worlds” way of doing things and biblical ways of doing things. The two are “worlds” apart…
For instance, we are bombarded with the idea that to “get ahead” and be successful we must climb the ladder of success and sometimes that means climbing on top and over other people to get “there,” that place of power and prestige. This is a place where you can demand service (in a nice way of course..) from other people. You have arrived. Men tend to be more prone to this, however women are just as tempted to have this attitude as well. It isn’t a well advertised concept to live like a servant, in a self-serving culture.
Jesus had a different perspective. He didn’t measure greatness by status, he measured it by service. It’s not how many people serve you….it’s how many people you serve. We acknowledge how important great leadership is and even have thousands of books written on the subject, but the idea of servant leadership seems foreign. God has shaped us to be Christ-like and that is in the form of a servant.
Here’s something interesting though… in order to be an effective servant, we have to have a heart of a servant. You can give yourself to many things, helping as an usher, teaching Sunday school, pick up chairs after a meeting, help direct traffic in the parking lot, you name it… anyone can do it. No real special gift is required, it just requires character. It is even possible to serve in a church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. It is a matter of the heart… you need to have a servants heart.
How do you know if you have a servants heart or not? Jesus said, “You can tell what they are, by what they do.” Matt. 7:16 It’s what we do that shows whether or not we have a servants heart.
Real servants are not just fitting service into an already busy schedule as a part of a to-do list. They are available to serve when called upon or when the need arises. Funny thing about needs arising… they don’t happen on our time schedule and it’s usually inconvenient! Are we available to God anytime? Can God come in and mess up our plans? Do we become resentful about the people or situations that create these inconvenient problems for us? Or.. do we remind ourselves that we are part of an army of servants, called upon at any time to show mercy or help out. Interruptions can be divine appointments for ministry and we can welcome the opportunity to serve.
Real servants look for ways to serve. They take initiative! They don’t wait to be asked to serve, they don’t “hang back” in the wings hoping no one sees them. They are alert to opportunities and seize them when they come up. Like John Wesley said ” Do all the good you can by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.” This pretty much sums it up doesn’t it?
Real servants simply do the best they can with what they have. You can never wait until the “time is right” because that time never comes. It’s like putting off starting a Procrastinators Club. It will never be right enough, good enough or perfect enough. Less than perfect service always beats the best of intentions!
Many people put off service because they don’t feel “good enough.” Unfortunately the idea of serving with “excellence” has intimidated many who feel just like average people. You will always be good enough to start serving somewhere. That is how we all start. I look at my daughters beginning in gymnastics. She is so happy to be there learning new things and getting the floor routine down. It didn’t start that way.. but it is great seeing her get better and better. This is how God views us… we start something, from the heart, imperfect as it may be, then we get better at it.
Real servants do every task with equal dedication. Whatever the size of the task whether big or small, do it with all of your heart. There will never be a task to small for you. There was nothing beneath Jesus. He washed feet, he cooked, helped with children and served lepers. It’s the small tasks that show a big heart. It’s the often overlooked little tasks that others don’t think of.. (Guys with wives…take note… they are really good at this.)Great opportunities often disguise themselves as little tasks.
Real servants ate faithful to their ministry. They fulfill their promises, complete their tasks, don’t leave jobs undone, stay committed and don’t quit. Faithfulness is such a rare quality, but it is the uncompromising quality of a true servant. Can you be counted upon by others? Jesus himself will welcome you into his arms one day by saying “Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in the handling of this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25:23
Real servants maintain a low profile. Your service is not meant to call attention to yourself, even though you may be recognized for what you do. Whether or not someone actually sees what you do is not the point. The Pharisees practiced their service to be “seen of men,” so other people could see how “spiritual they are. Self promotion and service don’t mix. What you do may not be noticed in the eyes of men, but oh how it is recognized and appreciated in the eyes of God! Don’t get discouraged even though you may think that your contribution is small. It’s great in the site of God!