A Servants Heart (part 4)

This week I have been blogging about having the heart of a servant. Serving is one of the greatest opportunities we have in this life. Serving gives glory to God, blesses others, and blesses us, which is why Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 2:35).” It is our privilege and duty as children of God to “serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13), and it’s very important that we have a good attitude, when we serve others. First of all, when we serve, we are serving the Lord Himself, and He deserves our best effort. In Ephesians 6:7 Paul reminds us, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” God has not called any of His children to be lukewarm or half hearted, so put your best foot forward, because you are serving the Lord. Secondly, the condition of our heart is important to God. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” If we complete acts of service with a bad attitude or if we have the wrong heart about it, God knows that we aren’t being sincere. Let’s get real with the Lord and make sure that our heart is in the right place when we are serving, or else we might as well not do it. Lastly, rely on God’s strength to get the job done. 1 Peter 4:11 encourages us by saying, “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” Being a servant of the Lord can be difficult work sometimes, on many different levels. Trust in the Spirit of the Lord, because it is by Him that we are able to achieve good things for God’s Kingdom.

Jesus will always be our best example of what it means to be a true servant. Jesus’ entire life was lived as a sacrificial servant to God and others. He served by preaching, teaching, healing, loving the unloved and unlovable, restoring sight to the blind, feeding the multitudes, comforting those who were hurting, and forgiving people who had sinned, just to name a few. One story in the Bible that sticks out to me is in John 13 when Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. This story is a beautiful example of what it means to be a servant. This is a moment where Jesus shows His disciples “the full extent of his love (John 13:1).” After Jesus washes their feet He asks them, "Do you understand what I have done for you (John 13:12)?” Jesus goes on to say, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet (John 13:13-14).” Jesus was showing His disciples His love and humility, and He was showing them that they needed to serve each other in this same way. God expects this of us, as well. Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:15-17).”

Philippians 2 shows us how to be a good servant. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We need to consider the needs of others before we consider our own needs and be selfless in our actions. This is not always an easy thing to do, especially if we have busy lives, demanding jobs, money problems, marriages, children, mortgages, and on and on. It can be easy to overlook the need of a family member, co-worker, or friend, when we are consumed with our own life or our own problems. This is why we need to open our eyes and be attentive to what is going on around us and to the needs of others. People need Jesus’ love, and you may be the only person in someone’s life that is able to provide this. Philippians 2:5 reminds us, also, that our attitude “should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” We need to follow His example. Jesus was focused on the needs of others. He was consumed with doing the will of God and pleasing Our Father. Jesus was the perfect example of a humble servant. Of course, none of us will ever be able to live a perfect and sinless life, but we can allow God to renew our hearts and minds and work in and through us. Jesus took on the nature of a servant and humbled Himself in obedience to God, and we should too, to the best of our ability (Philippians 2:6-8).

All of us can use the gifts and talents that God has given us, in order to serve Him and others. If you’re wondering what your gifts and talents are, then take some time to pray about it, ask others, and seek God’s voice. In time, it will be revealed to you. You can use your gifts and talents inside and outside of the church. All you have to do is follow God’s lead. Though the body of Christ is large, every member of the body is extremely important. God wants to use you, you are precious and valuable to Him, and He created you for a specific plan and purpose! Romans 12:4-6 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” All of us have a different call on our lives, but God will use all of us to work together to fulfill His will and plan. You are not here by mistake. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” You might have the gift of healing, teaching, prophecy, or speaking in tongues. You may have the talent of solving problems, public speaking, singing, or preaching. Whatever it may be, remain open minded to how the Lord may use all that you have to offer.