A Servant's Heart - Making a Difference for the Kingdom of God

As I write this, there are a million things running through my head; one of them being my selfish ambitions.

When I look back at some of my days in ministry, I can't help but wonder if I accomplished them to the glory of God. Did I do it to receive something in return, or did I do it because of my love for God? After all, that is why we were created - to glorify Him.

The Greatest Among You

When John and James came to Jesus one day, they asked Him if they could sit with Him, one on the left and one on the right, in glory (reigning with Christ in heaven). Jesus said that was not for Him to decide, but if they wanted to be the greatest, they needed to be a servant of all (Matthew 20:26-28). Wow, that really goes against our culture, doesn't it? After all, the world loves to inundate us with why we need to gratify our selfish desires - we deserve it! And that's what John and James thought, as well. Why would they ask if they didn't think they deserved it?

Glory to God

Looking to Jesus' example of serving, we can see that He did not serve to get anything in return, but was obedient to God the Father. He healed, taught, and became the greatest example of a servant, by laying down His own life (so we could be reconciled to God). Jesus brought glory to God by serving others. If He would have served the Father out of His wants and desires, we would not be reconciled to God, and He would not have died on the cross for our sins.

Being a servant of all is exhausting and demanding. It requires going out of our comfort zones to accommodate others, as well as being available in a moments notice. It is a humbling and thankless job. And, it can mean the difference between someones salvation, and our gratification. But if we are willing to serve with the attitude of Christ, we will make a difference, by bringing glory to God.

Do you have a servant's heart? Do you serve God out of a love for glorifying Him, or yourself?

"...whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:43-45