THE HUMBLE SERVANT

Our world very often teaches a philosophy that causes men to place more priority and emphasis upon “what’s in it for me” than considering the other fellow’s need. Our search for personal pleasure and the place of honor leaves many suffering souls in its wake. As I meditated on the Lord’s teaching and example of being a servant, I was led to a time of prayer regarding my own development of servant heart qualities and life attitudes.

Jesus, of course, in His example of washing the disciple’s feet, gives a lesson in true service. John records the event following the observance of that last supper with His disciples. “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (13:4-5) He followed this by instruction with these words. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (13:15-17) If we would follow His example, life would be filled with service to mirror His example in touching lives.


A related truth states, “The true character of the loveliness that speaks for God is always unnoticed by the one possessing that quality.” Such was a statement I jotted down from some source I cannot remember, but it gets to the crux of the matter of attitude in service, as well.

I wrote these lines to describe my meditations.
The wise servant of a Master noble
Serves humbly with a grateful heart.
He knows that which the Master’s given
To cause his stewardship to start.
And as this servant does Master’s bidding,
Though in his hand what Master claims,
He’ll not for self exalt possession,
But use it for what Master names.
This servant’s joy is found in serving
The noble Master through steward’s task,
And he thus promotes the Master’s glory,
And in its glow he’ll humbly bask.

Lord, guide me in my growth relationship with You, that such an unconsciousness of me will develop, that You will be able to touch with more purity the lives of others. May, Father, Your true riches be visible through my commitment and spirit poverty. Indeed, Father, I lay down every claim to gifts, abilities, and experiences that might be accounted to my life’s ledger, and pray that You alone would possess their use. And, Father, when they are placed in my hand for use, may I be more conscious of Whose they truly are, than the perception that it is I that cause their results. And Lord, forgive me of such past pride that I have claimed. Amen.

I pray that you, my brothers and sisters, may be encouraged today by these words from my own pilgrimage.