It is so easy to serve my best friend. I know exactly what she will be needing, I know her love language, and I know her schedule. Serving her is not really service- it is fun; and she returns the favor any time she can.
However, this is not God's definition of service. To Him, service means sacrifice. It means giving up my school study-day to babysit my sister's kids. It means chatting with an older lady even when I would rather be outside at the park playing with children. It means giving money to a missionary instead of buying cereal that week. THIS is true sacrifice: that a man lay down his life for his friends.
What does servant leadership look like? Well, one of the best examples I've seen is the staff at Verity Institute. They put their students above paperwork or anything else that needs done. If I needed a hug, a place to cry, or just someone to chat with, any one of Verity's staff would put their work down and open their office - and their heart to me. They are attentive as if there was nothing else on their mind or schedule, even though they have a lot to do that day. Truly, the staff at Verity display God's love to each student there.
What a blessing! How can I be a servant? I can be available to my mom when she needs something done. I can put my book down and listen to my brother. I can give up my cookie to make an elderly woman smile. Yes. Love. Sacrifice. These are what make up God's definition of service.
"...Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister... even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:26-28
Matthew 20:26-28
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