...You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
Mark 10:42-44 (ESV)
Everyone desires to be significant. It is part of our nature. God made us in his own image with a dignity not given to any other part of creation. Our significance was originally supposed to come from our fellowship with the Creator and our partnership with him in subduing the earth. Then came the monumental fall of Adam and Eve. Since sin entered the picture we have tried to find significance apart from fellowship and partnership. We have looked in performance and been applauded by our peers, but it didn't really satisfy. We have looked in titles and positions only to finally admit, they were only symbols of something we longed for but could not attain. We have built edifices, corporations, ministries and cathedrals. We have carved our name on monuments of glory, but the empty spot down deep in the soul aches for significance. We have amassed large followings of people with many serving our ideas and desires. We have signed the paychecks of thousands who depend on us for survival...but it isn't enough.
God designed us for greatness, and it only comes from a servant heart. Too many have settled for being called great when they weren't. They never got to greatness because they bought the myth that greatness is in being served. Only a few have ever tasted real greatness, but every disciple of Jesus has the opportunity. He has given us his heart. He not only showed us the way by the way he lived and died, he actually grants us his very life. The same Spirit that filled him, guided him and raised him from the grave lives in us and we can know real greatness.
It takes faith to believe we can. The default mode of fallen mankind has been so motivated to reach the top to be served, that we have difficulty believing that service is the key to real greatness. When we really believe it, we can spend more time strategizing how we can serve those around us and less on how to scramble to the top of the fool-inspired food chain. The New Testament will make more sense as we read how Jesus and his early followers gave themselves even to martyrdom for the sake of the gospel. They knew that the only way people on earth would ever be free from the damaging intrusion of sin was through the death and resurrection of Christ and the message that proclaimed this truth. The early martyrs tasted greatness. They would testify to us today that it is worth the temporal pain. They would tell us to find ways to really serve. They would encourage us to move past token service toward the less fortunate. They would suggest we find the way to get people reconciled to God.
Listen to one of them:
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
This kingdom economy is upside down, but if embraced, it will set us right side up.
SYNERGY - Better Together: October 01, 2010 click for more > Five Pillars of New Testament Discipleship: : October 15, 2010 click for more > Family Reunion Retreat: December 03, 2010 click for more >
