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Service

by Jerry Ousley  
11/28/2014 / Christian Living

There are a lot of things that come to mind when I hear the word "service." For instance, since I spent a three year hitch in the U.S. Army, service brings that to mind. We often refer to someone who is in the military, be it Army, Navy, Air Force, or The Marine Corp., as being in the service.

I also think of a restaurant (leave it to me to bring a topic around to food). We judge a restaurant by the quality of its food and the quality of its service. I have no problem leaving a good tip to a good waiter or waitress. But if the service is not very good, I'll still leave a tip but one not quite as generous.

Service also brings to mind a household servant or maid. I've never had a servant or maid and probably never will. That's for the rich and famous crowd. I think I'd just prefer to draw my own bath, thank you. I don't need someone waiting on me hand and foot because frankly I'd rather do it myself. Most of the time I want to be the one driving down the road because I feel more in control so I don't need a chauffeur. Besides, riding in the back seat of my little red Neon doesn't sound very comfortable to me. I suppose if one had that kind of wealth they'd be expected to have a big black limousine but why waste all that money on a fancy car when the little red Neon has so much life left in it?

In the Lord the word "service" holds other meanings. One who is called to preach is referred to as a "minister." We typically hold high honor (at least most of the time) for one with this title. Whether a pastor, evangelist, or one called by another name, a minister is usually placed in a leadership role. They are looked upon as "the boss." There are many who really understand what the title "minister" represents, and there are others who flaunt their position.

Jesus had something to say about this subject. In Mark 9:35 it says, "And Jesus sat down, and called the twelve, and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Just like most topics our Lord discussed, the philosophy is the exact opposite of what the world tells us. In talking about being a successful Christian, regardless if we are called to be a minister or not, we are all called into service.

In the text prior to the words of Mark 9:35, the disciples had been arguing over who among them would be the leaders. Jesus knew what they were talking about but asked them what they were discussing. Sheepishly they all grew very silent because in their hearts they knew that the Lord would be opposed to their subject. That's when He spoke the words of Mark 9:35. He gave them this wonderful positive/negative and told them that if anyone wanted to be in a leadership position they had to learn to put others first and be their servant. In other words, they had to demote themselves to the bottom instead of fighting to get to the top.

To be a successful Christian we have to learn to be a good servant. We are a servant of God and our Lord, and we are also a servant to others. Why do you think Jesus drew a pan of water, wrapped a towel around His waist and began to wash the dirty, dusty feet of His disciples? After all, He was the Master. He was the Teacher and just shortly before, Peter had acknowledged Him to be the Messiah the One who would be the Deliverer of the entire nation of Israel. Now, He knelt before each one, washed their feet, and dried them with the towel. He told them afterwards that they were to follow His example of servitude.

It is demeaning. It means that we take the lower position, the least honor; the seat at the foot of the table. But a life of service will yield no less than a life of true honor, leadership, and promotion in the Body of Christ. Learn to be a person of service and you'll find out for yourself that you are quickly becoming a happy, successful Christian.

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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