- We serve God by serving others. God measures greatness in terms of service, not in terms of status. Our society has a "me-first" mentality. As christians we need to eliminate the "me-first" thinking in our lives. "God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you." (Rick Warren). Most all of us want to lead and not be a servant but to be like Jesus we must be a servant. Knowing your shape that God gave you is important but having the heart of a servant is even more important. "Without a servants heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain." (Rick Warren). God tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're NOT shaped. "Your primary ministry should be in the area of your service, but your secondary service is wherever you're needed at that moment." A servants heart will reveal your maturity.
REAL SERVANTS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO SERVE
- 2 Timothy 2:4 says, "Solider's don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them." Rick Warren says, "When you only serve when its convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when its inconvenient." We have to remind ourselves that we are all servants and we won't be frustrated with interruptions throughout our day. If you are at work and get interrupted to help someone, see it as an opportunity to be a servant, don't see it as a interruption or inconvenience. Your agenda will be whatever God plans for your day.
REAL SERVANTS PAY ATTENTION TO NEEDS
- We should always be on the lookout to help others. Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." "When God puts someone in need right in front of you, he is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood." (Rick Warren). Often times we miss our on opportunities to serve because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. We have to be willing to serve others on the fly and be sensitive to others because great opportunities to serve never last long. Proverbs 3:28 says, "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you' - when you already have it with you." Don't put off something till tomorrow that you can do today. We need to do the little things as if they were the great things.
REAL SERVANTS DO THEIR BEST WITH WHAT THEY HAVE
- Real servants do what needs to be done now. They don't put off things that they can get done in that moment. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, "Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest." We have to do what we can with what we have and wherever we are. You may not have everything you want of be where you want to be but you can still serve and be a servant with what you have.
REAL SERVANTS DO EVERY TASK WITH EQUAL DEDICATION
- Real servants to every task with all their heart. "You will never arrive at the state in life where you're too important to help with menial tasks." (Rick Warren). I have a masters degree but I worked in a hospital as a tech and I worked as a caregiver. These tasks are not below me just because I have a masters degree. Sometimes the menial tasks mean the most. Galatians 6:3 says, "If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." Do even the small tasks with a big heart. "Your servant's heart is revealed in little acts that others don't think you are doing." (Rick Warren). Do the small/not-so glamorous tasks and God will assign you whatever he wants you to do. "Sometimes you serve upward to those with anything, and sometimes you serve downward to those in need. Either way you develop a servants heart." (Rick Warren). Whether you are serving the president of the USA or the homeless man on the street, God sees them the same and each task should be done with equal dedication.
REAL SERVANTS ARE FAITHFUL TO THEIR MINISTRY
- Real servants are trustworthy and dependable. Can you be counted on by others? God puts us to the test here and test our faithfulness. God will reward your faithfulness in eternity. Don't bail on someone or the church because you just don't want to or you are tired. Faithful servants never retire from serving God.
REAL SERVANTS MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE
- Real servants are humble and maintain a low profile. They do not bring attention to themselves. They are humble and accept recognition if given it but do not seek recognition. Matthew 6:1 says, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Don't do stuff to seek recognition. Don't serve for approval or applause. So many people on social media post things for attention or recognition. They enjoy the "likes" but we need to realize that God sees all that we do and we will be rewarded in heaven. We don't need others approval. Being in the spotlight blinds you. God put you exactly where you are for a purpose. "The most significant service is often the service that is unseen." (Rick Warren). 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that you labor in the Lord is vain."
Point to Ponder: I serve God by serving others.
Verse to Remember: "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew10:42
Question to Consider: Which of the six characteristics of real servants offers the most challenge to me?
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