A couple of years ago, I found myself on my hands and knees at my church, serving in what I felt was a lowly way.
Well, maybe “serving” isn’t the right word, because I didn’t volunteer for the job, and I certainly wasn’t doing it with a cheerful spirit. Furthermore, nobody was around to see me doing the task I was assigned! Inwardly, I fumed. This isn’t my responsibility. Why can’t someone else do it? Don’t they know I’m busy?
Suddenly, tears filled my eyes as a wave of conviction swept over me. I thought of missionaries I knew who served in the most humbling of ways. I thought of precious saints of God who cheerfully served the kingdom of God daily. I thought of my Lord and Savior and how He selflessly served others. Did I think myself better than them? It was then that I truly began to realize my own calling as a servant of God and His Kingdom.
I asked the Lord, “What shall I do?”
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed me out a tiny spot
And said, “Tend that for me.”I quickly relied, “Oh no, not that.
“Why no one would ever see.
“No matter how well my work was done;
“Not that little place for me.”The word He spoke, It was not stern,
He answered me tenderly;
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
“Are you working for them or me?
“Nazareth was a little place, and so was Galilee.”– Mead McGuire
Servanthood isn’t always a pretty job.
In fact, more often than not, it is messy and humbling. Most acts of service are without earthly recognition or applause. What we do will frequently go unnoticed to others. Yet, we shouldn’t feel like serving is below us. Jesus Himself washed His disciples’ feet. He is the greatest example of a servant. To serve in His kingdom is a great privilege. We must remember that it all is for God’s glory and not for personal gain.
Have you ever heard someone talk about the need to have a servant’s heart? I don’t know everyone’s definition of that, but to me, it means looking for ways to serve God and others through love. Through this, we bring honor to Him.
There many examples of servanthood in Scripture, but in reading the New Testament, I found that the Apostle Paul often referred to himself as a “servant of Jesus Christ.” No matter what the official title is of the ministry you are involved in, I challenge you to start thinking of yourself simply as a servant: for at the end of our lives, that’s what we all hope to hear the Lord say.