Lenten Word 34: Servant

A servant is one who works for others, often doing what others hate doing or will not do for themselves. There is no dishonor in being a servant, in fact, the word of our Lord says the opposite. "If anyone serves me, they must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor them." (John 12:26 (ESV)).

Our Lenten Journey should be one of growing in humility, knowing that all we do, we should do for the sake of God being made greater in our lives. Every time I preach I pray that God would empty me of me and fill me with Him. This humility should also lead us to doing more for God and God's people than worrying about ourselves and what gain we might get from our actions.

Jesus was the model of servant leader, doing what others might never dream of doing themselves, humbling himself to wash the feet of the disciples, healing, touching, and making whole all who were in need. As God's humble servant He willingly went to the cross and died for us.

What are you doing for God that others hate doing for themselves? What are you giving/sharing for the sake of the kingdom of God?

PRAYER: Loving God, as I journey with you during these forty days, let one of my lessons be to learn to a servant, leading when I must, but always following You. Let me do for others. As Paul wrote to Timothy I seek to be "one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handing the word of truth," and serving You above self. This I pray in the name of He who is my Lord, Jesus the Christ. Amen.