WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SERVE - 11/25/2020 -Sadell Bradley

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SERVE Sadell Bradley 11/25/2020 "There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well." - Walter Reuther Thanksgiving opens a season of serving. Heightened levels of generosity are everywhere. So many hurting families are being helped in this trying economic time. SERVING goes beyond its definition of performing duties, or giving people goods. It goes to the heart, and to identity. For some, serving a huge meal at this time of year is so much a part of our habit and practice that we would defy no gathering orders. For others, not being able to serve has brought on discombobulation, and even depression. It seems like we don't figure out the value of things and people until they are taken away. Even serving, whether a meal or a calling in the military, is a powerful expression of love and humility. The Greek word for minister means servant. Ministry: the prayers we pray, the songs we sing, the gifts we give, the kindness we show, the words we speak are all service. Serving is precious to God. To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less. Andre Malraux In the height of his boxing reign, Muhammad Ali's proclamation was, "I am the greatest of all time!" Many people admired his confidence, strength, and chutzpah to make the kinds of declarations he did about himself. Believers know that the LORD Jesus Christ truly has that distinction of being the greatest. What Jesus taught His disciples about serving, leadership, and Himself as a leader is quite different: "Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:25-28, NLT) Since the pandemic, there's been a shift in how we measure greatness. People whose contributions were deemed insignificant are now heroes and heroines—because of their service. We realize how dependent we are on teachers, healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, delivery truck drivers, justice fighters, and voting poll workers. We honor the ministers who give encouragement and help families who are grieving or in need. The first-responders and the nursing home attendants that put their lives on the line to keep our family members safe, the artists and athletes providing us an escape: are all becoming greater and greater in our eyes. I pray that they will remain so after all of this is over. The last shall be first. The least is the greatest. It's amazing how much time and attention we put into being the first, the biggest, the best, the greatest, the wealthiest, and the most famous. It's sad how we compare ourselves to each other, and how disappointed we can be when we don't achieve our lofty goals. This world's culture celebrates the person who moves from poverty to riches, but not the one who divests themselves of power and privilege to serve and help others. When His disciples were arguing about who was the greatest, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (Mark 9:35, NLT) When was the last time you saw leaders running toward or fighting for the opportunity to be last and serve? Some leaders have folks carrying out their wishes and won't even work beside them. One day we will realize that greatness is below...and beneath...and in the one who serves.