Heart of Service
by Chel Garrison
You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:25-28, NLT
At the core of everything in the believer’s life is this concept that serving others is part of following Jesus. He taught His disciples from the very beginning and throughout His earthly life that He lived to meet the needs of others. It is an example we should strive to implement in our lives. Yet, how do we serve others while keeping our focus on Jesus rather than ourselves? How do we ensure that our acts of service are truly about living in His kingdom’s economy, His glory, and not just an opportunity for self-promotion or pharisaical actions?
First and foremost, it's essential to cultivate your dependence on Jesus through prayer, time in the Word, and discipleship. This connection serves as the “gut check” to our motives and intentions, as well as teaching us more about His heart and intentions. As we develop eyes like our Savior, we also begin to see others the way He sees them, with compassion and empathy. We recognize it is not about our own “glory” but rather serving comes out of the overflow of our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
After all, Jesus led by this example, demonstrating the importance of humility and servanthood. He washed the feet of His disciples, humbling Himself to serve others. He taught the disciples the same: “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12, NLT). Throughout the Gospels, we see how He would often be uncomfortable or go out of His way to be in a place to bring comfort and hope to others.
As Christ-followers, we can follow His example by serving those around us, regardless of their status or circumstances. Whether it's volunteering at a homeless shelter, offering a listening ear to a friend over a cup of coffee, cooking a meal, or simply lending a helping hand to a stranger, every act of service is an opportunity to tangibly direct people’s attention to Jesus.
In the hustle of life, it's easy to become preoccupied with our agendas and overlook the needs of those around us. However, Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others with the same care and respect that we desire for ourselves. This means taking the time to truly listen to others, empathize with their struggles, and offer support and encouragement whenever we have the opportunity. It means putting aside our desires and preferences to meet the needs of others, just as Jesus did time and time again during His earthly ministry.
Serving others with Jesus as our focus requires us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace opportunities that might seem uncomfortable. Jesus often called His disciples to step out in faith, challenging them to trust in His provision. Similarly, we are called to step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He sets before us. This may mean volunteering for a mission trip to a foreign country, stepping up to lead a ministry within our church, or simply reaching out to someone in need in our neighborhood or workplace.
At times serving will be easy, fun, and even memorable for all the right reasons. Other times serving others like Jesus will require grit and determination, even giving us opportunities to practice forgiveness and grace as those we serve are not kind or grateful. In a world filled with brokenness and pain, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of serving others. However, it is also one of the most powerful. To selflessly give, with no demand for anything in return, is to share the abundant grace that has changed our lives. It puts us in a position of humility and dependence on God to fill us with His compassion and love. When we willingly serve others, we break the cycle of hurt and resentment, paving the way for healing and reconciliation that this world and our communities so desperately need.
Serving others is not just a box to check or a task to complete. When we are focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus, serving others is a privilege. It's an opportunity to display the love, compassion, and humility that Jesus demonstrated during His time on earth. By cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus, approaching each interaction with love and kindness, stepping out in faith, and practicing forgiveness and grace, we can serve others in a way that truly reflects the heart of Christ.
How can you serve those around you in simple ways this week? Maybe in your home, but also at your workplace or in your community? Who in your sphere of influence needs your time, energy, and talents invested in them? Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you, but then to also give you the wisdom and courage to take action to meet those needs in a way that points people directly back to Him. After all, it is His story we want to make famous, not ours.
