Day 5: Refrain from Seeking to be Served, Embrace Serving Others

Good Morning My Friends! Today we have an opportunity to do some really cool things, not for ourselves, but for others.

Be a Servant Today!

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always quick to serve others. In fact, I know sometimes I forget to consider how I can serve another and instead I think about how I need to be served.

You would think after all the years I earned my living being a server at restaurants this servant attitude would be so natural for me that I wouldn’t have to intentionally think about it or set a day apart just to focus on serving others. Apparently, God believes I need to intentionally focus on serving others for a whole day.

The most important reason I believe serving others is our focus today is because Jesus is a servant, and we are to be like Him.

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, NIV).

I believe if we are going to live intentionally for God, then we need to stop thinking about how we ourselves can be served, and we need to be like Jesus and be servants.

A true servant does not seek to be served.

“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38, NIV).

A true servant does not aim to do his own will.

“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27, NIV).

A true servant aims to serve others.

 Jesus points out in these three scriptures basic truths about servanthood:

• A true servant does not seek to be served
• A true servant does not aim to do his own will
• A true servant aims to serve others

There are so many Scriptures that instruct us to serve others. I’m convinced this is a top priority to God.

However, our attitude in serving others is also very important. God wants us to be eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2), and serve wholeheartedly as though we are actually serving Him.

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Ephesians 6:7, NIV).

Now, here’s the cool part. We get to serve others using the gifts that God has given each one of us.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter, 4:10, NIV).

So how can you serve others today? Of course I have some ideas, I wouldn’t be serving you well, if I didn’t provide some practical applications. Remember our attitude matters. Serve others today joyfully, no complaining.

Practical Applications for Serving Others:

• Wash and put away the dishes
• Cook a meal
• Take out the trash
• Make copies for someone
• Fill in for your administrative assistant so he/she can take a longer lunch
• Bring chicken noodle soup to someone sick
• Buy a cup of coffee for a friend
• Offer to care for someone’s children so mom and dad can go out on a date

Today, let us show our love to one another by joyfully and eagerly serving one another using the gifts God has given each one of us remembering we are serving Him when we serve others.

Just for Today:

Refrain from Seeking to be Served. Embrace Serving Others!