Being a servant requires a mental shift and change of attitude. God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements. Jesus however measured greatness in terms of service and not status (Mrk. 10: 43). Your greatness is determined by how many people you serve and not how many people are serving you. The disciples argued about who deserved the most prominent position and thousands of years after leaders in church today are still struggling for positions, prominence, denomination and para-church ministries. Everyone wants to lead but no one wants to be a servant. To be like Jesus we have to be like servants. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to. It is possible to serve in the church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. You must have a servant’s heart. How can you know if you have the heart of a servant?
1.) Real servants make themselves available to serve – Servants don’t fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called upon. Like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty (11 Tim 2:4). If you only serve when its convenient for you, you are not a real servant. Real servants do what’s needed even when it is inconvenient.
2.) Real servants pay attention to needs – Servants are always on the look out for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it just the Bible commanded is in Galatians 6:10. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially 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 servant hood. Never tell your neighbour to wait until tomorrow if you can help him now.
3.) Real servants do their best with what they have – Servants don’t make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They just do what is to be done. The Bible says, “If you wait for perfect condition you will never get anything done (Eccl 11:4). God expects you to do what you can with what you have where you are.
4.) Real servants do every task with equal dedication – Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. Don’t look for great task before you do something for God. Just do the not-so-great stuff and God will assign you whatever he wants you to do. Before attempting the extraordinary you need to try serving in ordinary ways.
5.) Real servants are faithful to their ministry – Faithfulness has always been a rare quality. Most people don’t know the meaning of commitment, they make commitments casually, then break them for the slightest reason without any hesitation, remorse or regret. Faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they are alive. You can retire from your career but you will never retire from serving God.
Furthermore, real servants don’t promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success they put on the apron of humility to serve one another. If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don’t allow notoriety to distract them from their work.
You may be serving in obscurity in some small place feeling unknown and unappreciated. God put you where you are for a purpose. He has every hair on your head numbered and he knows you address. You had better stay put until he chooses to move you. He will let you know if he wants you somewhere else. Your life matters to the kingdom of God.
Can you be counted on by others? Are there promises you need to keep, vows you need to fulfill or commitments you need to honour? This is a test! God is testing your faithfulness and if you pass the test you will be in the good company of people like Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel and Paul. Be rest assured of your great reward at eternity.
