SCRIPTURE:
“Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."”
Mark 9:35
OBSERVATION:
Here in Luke, as Jesus begins to wrap up the last supper, He reminds the disciples that the greatest among all is the one who serves. Not the one sitting at the head of the table barking orders, but the one who humbly serves not just the master, but everyone.
I remember when I booked my first gig with an established musical artist. Up to that point most of my gigs required me to bring my whole drum-set, show up early, set it up and then break it down at the end of the night. But this time I was asked what brand of drums I wanted, how did I want it set up, and what time would I like to show up? I was even asked if I had any food and drink preferences for the green room! Needless to say, it was nice to be treated the way I was.
Fast forward a few years later and I remember my first experiences as a member of the Frontlines Worship team at New Hope. Long story short, it was the exact opposite of my experience at that gig. Now, I didn’t expect it to be anything similar, I understood it was church and it was volunteers. But what I also didn’t expect was to be the lone set up person for an entire year. Every late Friday, or early Saturday depending on your perspective, for 12 months. Just me and bunch of drum cases that needed to be taken out and set up. To top it off, I wasn’t even the one playing the drums, just the setup guy, the one asking the drummer for the weekend how he wanted his drums set up and making sure it sounded good by the time he arrived to play them.
APPLICATION:
Pastor Wayne says, “the truest test of a servant is when he is treated like one.” What I didn’t realize at the time of my initial serving at New Hope was that what I was asked to do wasn’t a hazing period or me having to earn my stripes. It was the forming of my character. It was a strengthening of my commitment. It was making sure I was there to serve an audience of One.
Having a servant heart means I quickly die to self. It’s not easy, but attaining “greatness” never is. By the world’s standards as you advance it usually results in others serving you more. Jesus asks me to do the opposite, to example a counter culture of serving that as I advance, my serving capacity and commitment advances also. My goal is not the head of the table, but to make sure the table is set and ready to serve others.
3 things to keep this firmly written on the tablet of my heart are:
- Remember that my King and Savior came to be a servant in order for my life to be great. My only reasonable response is to do the same and serve others the same.
- As he did with Peter, Jesus has prayed that my faith, my servanthood, would not fail even in the midst of the enemy’s sifting.
- Serve with my whole heart. If I put my heart into everything it doesn’t affect just me, but those around me. Aunty Carol Ann Shima says, “God uses our heart for eternal purposes.” A mind can reach a mind, but only a heart can reach a heart.
PRAYER:
Jesus, grant me the strength to continually commit to put Your cause above my comfort. My goal is not greatness but to be called a faithful and true servant. Thank you for choosing me and I stand firm in my faith that as I rise to the challenge of serving You will continue to be my I AM.
