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Day 3: Start Serving

Serving is about putting the needs, preferences, and interests of others above your own without expecting anything in return. With the right heart and intention, you don’t serve to gain something from someone; you serve to give something to someone. You have an opportunity to show God’s heart to others around you when you serve. Jesus showed us time and time again that servanthood is one of the richest character traits we can have as believers.

Jesus demonstrated servanthood to His disciples hours before His crucifixion when He washed their feet. This was the last leadership principle Jesus left with His disciples, a statement of servanthood that He wanted to be repeated in the future. Can you imagine the Savior of the world humbling himself to the lowliest job of a servant? In this moment, Jesus redefined what leadership means. He showed us that leadership is not about position and authority, but about serving. Be careful to recognize that your position or title will never exclude you from serving in any capacity.

Leadership is a gift from God, not a right. An article from Psychology Today says, “Leaders who understand that leading others is a privilege understand that leading, first and foremost, is about service.”[1] This golden rule of leadership is what Jesus was trying to teach His disciples—that the higher one moves up isn’t about gaining more power or authority or influence, but about gaining opportunities to serve. Jesus made it perfectly clear that in the Kingdom, “The greatest among you must be a servant” (Matthew 23:11, NLT).

Serving is not a task; it’s a lifestyle. If you live to serve others in a way that honors God, you will have joy that cannot be measured by the world’s standards. Serving was always intended to be something that brings joy to you and others. Serving is an honor, because as you serve, you are showing others the same loving care Jesus showed His disciples when He served them by washing their feet.

There will be times where you are serving that aren’t in front of a big crowd or even a small group. Sometimes it’s behind closed doors where no one will give you recognition or a spotlight. Your service to Him may be unseen by others, but that’s where your strength will be—in the quiet moments where what you are doing is just about honoring the Father, following His command to serve wholeheartedly.

Ministry can be directed to stadiums full of people, speaking on huge stages, and having millions of YouTube subscribers, but ministry is usually things like making house calls, visiting hospital rooms, stacking chairs, and being assigned to the cleanup crew. It’s making sure you are encouraging and loving people. It’s about putting the interests of others above our own. It is serving the people in your community, those leading you, and those under your leadership. It was both taught and modeled for you by the Savior of the world, the One who should have had His feet washed instead of washing the feet of everyone else.

The life of a servant isn’t about recognition, but about being faithful and keeping your eyes on the eternal reward. More than anything, you should desire to hear these words from Jesus, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23, NLT).

Prayer

Jesus, please help me to live in a way that reflects how You served. Help me serve with no expectations, hidden motives, or the need to be seen. Let me have a heart that is committed to serving in whatever capacity is needed at whatever time it is needed. Let me keep my eyes on You, focusing my mind on eternity. Give me the strength and determination to have a lifestyle that models what servanthood is all about, putting others’ needs above my own, just as You did. Amen.

[1]Thuy Sindell and Milo Sindell, “The Golden Rule of Leadership,” Psychology Today, June 6, 2013, accessed June 28, 2023, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-end-of-work-as-you-know-it/201306/the-golden-rule-of-leadership.