more tea?
one of my top 5 favorite seminary profs (dr millwood) made a statement that i absolutely hate... "we always hear that we need to have a servant's heart, but what does that really look like? well, here is how you know you have a servant's heart: when people treat you like a servant... and it doesn't bother you."
while in mexico this past week, i learned that i do not have a true servant's heart if this is the litmus test (which i think it is). i thoroughly enjoyed serving my teams and the people of monclova, but there were times when working with the medical teams that i really got ticked off at how i was treated. i'm not talking about all of the medical team people, but there were some who treated me like... well, a servant. it was through these experiences that i began to realize that i am selective in my service, which leads me to believe that i am very servant hearted, but in reality makes me less Christlike and more joshlike. i'm not sure how to get to the point where i am joyful no matter who i am serving, but i'm pretty sure it has something to do with matthew 25 where jesus equates serving people with serving Him. my problem is that i view serving people as serving people, instead of viewing serving people as serving Christ.
man, i hate long, serious posts... i will try to be more amusing in the future... if anyone is actually reading
while in mexico this past week, i learned that i do not have a true servant's heart if this is the litmus test (which i think it is). i thoroughly enjoyed serving my teams and the people of monclova, but there were times when working with the medical teams that i really got ticked off at how i was treated. i'm not talking about all of the medical team people, but there were some who treated me like... well, a servant. it was through these experiences that i began to realize that i am selective in my service, which leads me to believe that i am very servant hearted, but in reality makes me less Christlike and more joshlike. i'm not sure how to get to the point where i am joyful no matter who i am serving, but i'm pretty sure it has something to do with matthew 25 where jesus equates serving people with serving Him. my problem is that i view serving people as serving people, instead of viewing serving people as serving Christ.
man, i hate long, serious posts... i will try to be more amusing in the future... if anyone is actually reading
posted by the E's | 3/28/2005 04:15:00 PM
2 Comments:
Loving God results in loving people. Loving people results in serving them. I wish I looked at people the way God does. All were created in His image. Whether or not they "look like Him" or not. Cause dang... I sure don't look like Him most of the time. Those who please me or bring some kind of benefit my way are more likely to receive genuine heartfelt service/love. Those who are "difficult to love" receive service, but it is often out of obligation rather than genuine love.
I am so thankful God doesn't allow us to walk in ignorance. He finds a way to slam me and lets me know that's not how HIS love works. I wish i could remember that I only love Him and others because He loved me first. When I was/am unpleasing and difficult, He loved/loves me.
So yeah...hmm. Thanks for the truth, the reminder. It's not pleasant to realize I stink, but at least then it's open to change I guess.
I've been reviewing verses on being a servant the last few days. There are tons.
I am not perfect, by any means. I struggle with having the right attitude or the right heart. I thank God that I realize it, because change can occur. It's when I have no realization of my attitude or the nature of my heart that I am in trouble. An another thing can happen, I can know the condition of my attitude/heart and ignore it, not implementing any change whatsoever.
Thank God that He humbles me. When I complain about someone treating me unfairly, The Holy Spirit reminds me of a time when I treated someone else unfairly. When I think I deserve thanks, He reminds me of a time when I didn't give thanks.
Here are a few verses that I found that struck a cord with me.
"1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-11
“12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17
"41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45
"10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
This next verse is one that hit hard. How many times do I do things for people that I expect something in return?
"12Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14
Sorry this is long, Josh!
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