“Most people don’t live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn’t make any difference whether they’ve reached the goal or not.”
If lockdown has taught me one thing, it’s this – SLOW DOWN and take time to just BE once in a while.
So many of us live life in the fast lane, constantly striving, endlessly pursuing some imagined life or goal far away in the distance. We all want to be successful, we want greatness, and we think this means getting ahead, being first.
But God’s kingdom operates differently from ours. In God’s economy, if we want to be great, having a servant heart is key.
Greatness in God’s kingdom doesn’t come from money, being powerful or being successful in human eyes. Greatness in God’s kingdom comes from being willing to be a servant of all. It’s a heart issue.
Jesus came as a servant, providing a living, breathing example for us to follow of how we are to interact with, value and treat others.
“So 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 be the slave of everyone else. 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.” – Mark 10:42-45
What does it mean to be servant hearted?
Well, a servant is someone who meets the needs of others, putting the other persons needs before their own.
I don’t know many people who are truly, 100%, servant-hearted like this at all times. I know many people (myself included) who are trying and, sometimes, succeed.
But I also know that many of us (again, myself included) have moments of selfishness, busyness, pride and exhaustion. And it left me wondering, this is clearly important to God, so how do we get better at this? How do we serve others well?
1. Love God First
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he summarised the entirety of God’s law as this; we are called first to love God, then one another (Matthew 22:34-40).
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)
Jesus told his disciples, and us, that if we love him, we will keep His commandments. Our obedience is an outward demonstration of our love for God.
“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Being servant-hearted means submitting our wants, needs and desires to God, and asking him to help us to love others as he does. It is only when our hearts are aligned with his that we are able to truly serve one-another selflessly and humbly, giving of ourselves without expecting anything in return.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
When we love God first, when we submit ourselves to him and obey his commandments, it is through an overflow that we exhibit a servant heart toward others.
2. Look to Jesus’ Example
To be honest, this is just my top tip for all things ever. Jesus is out ultimate example of how to live as a great human being.
Jesus came to earth with a commitment to serve. He always put the needs of others’ before his own and he often taught on the importance of having a servant-heart.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
In fact, his reason for leaving the glory of heaven and becoming human was the ultimate act of service that anyone could do for another – to lay down his life for us all. If, instead, he had come to be served, our salvation and sanctification could and would never have taken place.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” – Philippians 2:6-7
By coming as a servant, Jesus provided a living, breathing example for us to follow of how we are to treat others, and the approach we are to take in our relationships with those around us.
“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” – John 13:12-15
To cultivate a servant heart, we must use Jesus as our role model. He was the greatest servant of all.
We’re all a work in progress, but if we continue to pursue holiness, follow Jesus’ leading and submit to the Holy Spirit’s transformative power, we will become people who operate from a servant heart.
3. Choose to Serve Others (not yourself)
When we watch the example that Jesus was for his disciples and for us, He has really only given us two choices: we can either choose to serve others OR we choose to serve ourselves.
If we choose to serve ourselves, then we cannot be His disciples – if we are going to follow him, Jesus taught we must be willing to put ourselves last.
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” – Mark 9:35
If we choose to serve others, then we show others His love, and in that way, they will know we are His disciples (John 13:35).
We cannot be a good servant if we are chasing praise, power, and recognition by others.
But serving others does not necessarily come naturally. But we must choose daily to serve others. “..put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24
4. Consider What Others Need
In today’s society, there has become a tendency to focus on self, rather than making it a priority to think about those around us. ‘Just do what makes you happy’. ‘Just live your truth’. But this isn’t in line with what the Bible teaches.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Being servant hearted means making other peoples needs, interests, wants, desires, a priority. It means considering how the way we live impacts the life of those around us, and making a conscious effort to make it a positive one. This means:
- looking out for our neighbours
- fighting for justice for those who don’t have a voice
- looking after our planet for the generations to come
- sharing the wealth that we have with those who are less fortunate
- giving our time to those who are lonely
- sharing our knowledge and wisdom with those who need it…
It’s a shift in focus for our daily lives, acknowledging that the world does not revolve around us, and actively prioritising the needs of others.
5. Use What You Have Been Given
God has given each of us resources, gifts and talents that we are to use for serving others. And he instructs us to use them to serve others (Matthew 25:34-36)
Look at what you have, what you have been blessed with, and think about how you can use it to serve those around you.
- Are you an amazing cook? Could you use that to feed the hungry?
- Do you have an incredible home? Could you open it up to those who feel lonely?
- Have you been blessed with a car? Could you go out of your way to pick up those who haven’t?
- Have you been blessed financially? Could you use some of it to bring financial freedom to others?
- Do you have some spare time? Could you use it to visit someone who is struggling?
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)
In turn, serving others may be what God uses to touch their hearts and draw them to Him. Share the love of God by using your gifts, whatever it is that you have, to serve others.
It is only when we do this that, in God’s kingdom, we can be truly great.
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11-12
Thank You God that you have loved me with an everlasting love.
I pray that you will help me to cultivate a servant-heart by loving you first, and loving others out of an overflow.
I look to Jesus’ example of how to serve others well, choosing to serve others, not myself, on a daily basis and considering how my thoughts, words and actions have an impact on those around me.
Help me to recognise what you have given me and use that in the service of others.
Lead me towards those people you want me to serve today.
Photo by Julia Raasch on Unsplash
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