Exodus 9:13-35
Psalms 22, 141, 143
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45
Mark 10:38-48
The passage challenges us with the notion that to be great in life, you must be a servant. Unfortunately, that concept runs counter to what many of us have been led to believe by our culture. We often are caught up with the belief that the definition of success is having power, prestige, and possessions. We define the perfect vacation where we can go totally relax and be pampered/indulged by wait staff. We relish being served by others.
However, Jesus measured greatness in terms of service, not status. In fact, that is exactly what he called himself - a servant. In the business world, many books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Servanthood runs counter to the world's idea of greatness. In the rat race of life, climbing up the corporate ladder is the goal of many. We would rather be generals than privates. Everyone wants to be a leader; few strive to be a servant. But God wants us to be servants. He wants us to give our time and talents to others, not keeping it to our own pursuits. God also tests us by asking us to serve in ways that don't always play to our strengths, but rather where the needs are at the moment. He does that to test our maturity. He does that to test our character. It's been said that the true measure of one's character is what you do when no one is looking. Jesus said, "You can tell what they are by what they do."
God calls us to a service beyond what we understand. He has created us for a life of good deeds. Whenever we serve others in any way, we are actually serving God. There is no insignificant service to God - - it is all important in His eyes.
Doug Hart