The Change of a Servant

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" From a very young age, we are encouraged to dream about what we want to be someday. I had all sorts of noble aspirations, but there's one that never crossed my childish mind. Yet it's one God encourages His children to be: a servant.

"You also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'" (Luke 17:10 NIV). Our lives should be summed up by God, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:21).

Honestly, I didn't like that. I thought, "That's it? That's the best God could come up with?? That seems so distant and impersonal!" But as I've learned more about the significance of being a servant, I hope to hear that praise from my ABBA!

You see, being a servant turns the world upside down. The promised Messiah—God—did not come as a world-renowned ruler. Instead, He came as a servant. God, the Master of the Universe ... a servant!

In a world where we strive to climb to the top of the ladder, be that CEO, MVP, CPE (Coolest Parent Ever), or simply be recognized, appreciated, and praised, Jesus obviously knew something about servanthood that we don't fully understand.

I am beginning to learn how being a servant flips the world upside down—at least my understanding of the world. If I'm a good and faithful servant, it affects:

• My relationships—From the time I was a young child, my parents taught me an important question: How can I help you? This question has equipped me as a daughter, a friend, a wife, a mom, an employee, a co-worker ... It is probably the single most influential question in my marriage on a daily basis. It helps me to look at the person across from me and think to myself, "What do you need? How can I help you?" It helps me to look for what needs to be done and do it.

• My perspective—If I see myself as God's servant, that changes how I measure my value and how I see God. Instead of my identity being wrapped up in my performance, achievement, and reputation, my identity is grounded in who my Master is and what He has done for me.
  
  Ponder that for a moment. What has your Master done for you? What did that entail? Think about who God is—the all-powerful Creator who spoke matter into existence. That Word—Jesus—became a vulnerable baby at His mother's breast. He came to serve mankind and to exchange places with us on death row (Matthew 20:28). That's our Master! That's who we are serving. He became like us, so that we could become like Him!

• My daily life—If I'm a good and faithful servant, it affects how I manage time. Instead of growing frustrated when I'm interrupted or don't accomplish my to-do list, I ask God to help me accomplish His to-do list for me today. I begin to see interruptions as divine appointments. I'm not afraid of missing God's will for my life, because I understand that if I am following Him moment by moment, day by day, I will have done His will. I just have to walk through each day with Him, continually asking, "What do You want me to do right now?"

I haven't mastered servanthood, by any means. (Just ask my husband!) But I'm learning. I'm learning that walking with God as His servant is an adventure. He makes life significant. Some servants He sends on exhilarating errands. Others have very daily, ordinary assignments. But all are appraised by whether or not we are good and faithful servants. Are you being a good and faithful servant today?

Ask God to give you the heart of a servant. And, if you're anything like me, ask for patience with yourself as you learn to base your significance on Whom you're serving!

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