Serve!

Serve!

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 KJV

A little context: Zebedee's wife recognised the power, kingship and authority of Jesus. She came in to see the Master of her 2 sons, James and John. She started with worship, but the real intent was negotiation of power, position and privilege for her sons. I must beware of deceit, where I go through the motions simply because of what I want to get from God. If God doesn't give me because He knows the motive, what happens to my worship? Am I in it for what I can gain and get or what I can give back to God in appreciation of all He has done and is still doing? 

For all who are already peddling power, position, influence and privilege or seeking these things, beware of a heart that seeks for the wrong reasons. It is never obvious to the next man, but it is as plain as day and night before God. With God, you cannot hide a heart of hypocrisy behind a lifestyle of public service. Men may applaud and appreciate what you do, but you had better be sure that God is also applauding. Of what use is statues of recognition here on earth, while heaven has no true recognition or record of my service to God? Isn't that a big waste? 

It is the way of the world to milk power and position. How else would you recognise power if it is not flaunted? However, for all who answer to the Son of Man, we live by different standards. The path to true greatness, from God's perspective, is through service; not service so that people can recognise and praise me, but service simply because God has to be glorified. 

Today's extract makes it clear that Jesus was comfortable in the knowledge that He knew who He was. He had no point to prove, so He knew He wasn't defined first by his titles but by what He did, and so, no service was beneath Him. He is the Son of God, who came down as the Son of Man, so He could walk in our shoes and feel what we feel today. He didn't promote his position because it was not under threat; He simply came and served, and those who know Him and walk in His shoes are better off for it. 

How then should I relate? What is the path to relevance and impact? The example of Jesus is the perfect one. Serve from a heart that understands who s/he is, and not what other people say. Serve because you know the One to whom the service is being rendered, not because anyone sees or knows it is you. Serve out of a heart of devotion to God; a heart that seeks God's glory and appreciates all it has received from God too. God will not take less than all of me, so I had better not give Him less than all I am. If I am to get into the trenches and get my hands dirty working for God, would I do it with joy, or would I be afraid of people's thoughts and feelings? If the public platform or pulpit is taken down, what is left for me? Would I still truly serve? Impact and relevance, God's style, awaits your response. His time of favour is here.