 |
 |
 |
 |
| To Main Page: |
| I the Lord search heart and examine mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deed deserve. |
| Servant Heart Every new believer has to learn how to be a fruitful Christian & one of the 'must do' is : Serve God (same as 'serving God). Yet, there is no one method to teach the concept of serving God like the 'why', 'how', 'what', 'where' or 'when' to do it! The new Christian normally gathers his understanding about 'Serve God' from the elder Christians around them. Seeing fellow Christians like the church leaders, pastors & co-workers going about their duties, they usually conclude that 'Serve God' means working for the church & its related activities only. But such understanding is incomplete because 'serving God' is not confined to church grounds or even Christian environments. Let's look at some examples : Is working for the church (fulltime & voluntary) serving God? What about the church pastor or adminstrator? The consellor or cell leader? Singing in the church choir or being the usher? Are these people serving God or working for God? (you may ask : isn't that the same?) The answer can be 'Yes' and 'No'; it all depends on our attitude, mindset & heart! We have to realise that 'Serving God' & 'Working for God' are not the same. Although doing the same task, they have different attitudes & mindset because they are of different heart feel. This is very important because God searches our hearts & does not judge by our actions or outward appearances. Therefore, without a proper understanding, we will find it a struggle between serving God & working for God. We may also experience difficulty in persevering God's work over the time ('cos it gets routine) & may even give it up especially during difficult time. Serving God is not about being busy working for the church or its activities. If we do God's work without a servant heart, we are mere tools for God's work. And this is meaningless. Eg: - Unbeliever can do godly deed without loving God like donating to church funds. - Being busy with godly activities for personal benefits; - Or because we just like to work for the church itself or our favourite pastor or leader. These are only holy acts & appearances without true servanthood. One the other hand, a godly deed done, even beyond the church premises but done with a servant heart is a true service for God! Eg : A kind gesture, a helping hand (anywhere).. or even a Christian worker fulfilling his role at his workplace. How? He has glorified God by being a living testimony, exercising God's love. Therefore, if we do not see ourselves as working for God from the bottom of our hearts (as seen in our attitudes), we do not serve God at all. More about the Servant Heart Serving God is achieved (wherever we are being called to): - when we do the work in faith, hope & love for God - when our attitude is that of working for God & not for man - when we put God's plan above our self desires (without personal benefits) - when we work in obedience & patience to fulfil God's purpose - when we are not affected by the results or failures & whether we like it or not All these make up the Servant Heart which sets our perspective right in the way we work for God. We are then NOT just working for God but serving God. Like Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, the servant heart moulds our attitude towards serving God. ! The successful servant of God is a diligent follower of Christ, with a pure heart, good conscience & sincere faith towards God. He always puts on the full armour of God & is ready to obey God's call. He pledges his life to serve God. He serves God whole-heartedly for Who God is and not for what he could get from God (without looking at rewards). He trusts God single-mindedly to provide him with strength & resources to fulfil each task given. Furthermore, he does not allow his weaknesses or limitations become excuses for not serving God. He is neither deterred by any passive thoughts (like the 'what if's') nor discouraged by criticism from others. Infact, the true servant of God learns to rejoice in all situations including troubled times (be it his own or that of others). Jam 1:2 "Consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kind..". To him, these tough times are time for learning and strengthening of his faith. He believes in Jesus who has overcome the world (Joh 16:33) and that no temptations are too much for us to bear (1 Cor 10:13). He goes through trials & temptations with God's strength & peace. Rom 8:28 "All things work for the good ... who have been called to His purpose." Most of all, the true servant wants to be like Christ : To serve & not be served! He also understands that serving God is expressed by serving others, be it with his time, talents or treasures. The servant of God is convinced that all the good things he has come from God. He learns to be contented with whatever he has, in good & bad times. He really honours the stewardship God bestowed upon him. It is not about how much and what he has but how well he uses them to serve God. (Read Matt 25 Parable of the loan money) Therefore, no matter if the task is big or small, vital or insignificant, he uses the capacity he is in & his resources wisely for the interest of God's kingdom. Of course, he seeks God earnestly in all matters. Each of us has a unique role to play - some for noble use, some for ignoble use. (Read 1 Cor 12 One body many parts). Nonetheless, everyone of us is as important, just like the different parts of the body. So naturally some of us are also called to serve as leaders, teachers or man of authority and not only within the church but also at our places of work. Irregardless the place or capacity we are called to, our focus should remain the same - do the right things with a servant heart for God! It means to work as if working for God & not for man and for the leaders, lead with love. Leadership or authority is given by God not for self-importance, ambition or respect but for useful services to God's kingdom. True leadership is humble (servant before God) and will not do anything out of selfishness or vain conceit & also not against God's teachings. Knowing his self-worth in Christ, he uses the advantages of his position (eg : power, status, wealth..) to serve God by serving the people (non-believers included). Infact, he looks after the interests of others (Phi 2:3). Being a servant of God, he detests lording over others (bossing around) but delights in ministering to their needs. True humility helps him speak wisely & with words of restrain (not boastful) & be open to advices & suggestions without prejudice (not with contempt or arrogance). He reaches out to the others effectively and glorifying God. In whatever he does, he focuses on God's plan, timing & guidance so that he does not stray from God's path. On the contrary, if we work hard doing God's work but without a servant heart, it is as good as working for ourselves. It is true because when we are not Christ-centred, we are definitely self-centred already. Hag 1:6 teaches us about the consequences of not putting God 1st in our lives. "You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." If we do not serve God whole-hearted & sincerely with the things we do, our hard work become futile efforts in the end. We will be frustrated with the "poor" results because we do not have God's approval & blessings. But if we serve God with true servanthood, God will bless our deepest needs. What happens when we do not serve God (with servant heart)? Well, besides being disobedient, thwarting God's plan and not allowing God to work in us, we have actually made ourselves to be "NO-USE" for God's purposes. Remember : Our Heavenly Father is the Gardener; Christ the Vine and we are the branches (John 15). Are we like those branches not bearing fruits (no-use)? Jesus had promised that if we remain in Him (be Christ-like), we will bear much fruits. So, if we proclaim to be His followers, we must learn to live in-Christ, for-Christ & through-Christ. Jesus also taught us that great is he who serves (Matt 23:11-12) so we must serve others the way God directs us to. It is our way of serving God. Pro 27:19 "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Have we been serving God with the servant heart? We prefer to think that we do. But often we are not even aware of the difference between "serving" & "working" for God. Furthermore, our faith at times, do get distracted along the way especially for those who do the same godly task routinely & over a long time period. Our servant heart may be crowded out by the glamour or disappointments of the task itself. Sometimes, we can become so engrossed by the busy-ness of the task that we are more motivated by the act itself or its result than our calling to serve God. Therefore, it is essential that we keep check of this servant heart diligently to help maintain our devotion & zealousness to serve God. Our sensitivity of the true servant heart sets our attitude & perspective right with God as well as towards the people we serve. Such awareness also helps us say 'No' to things which are not beneficial or non-constructive (vice-versa) - living righteously. Eg: With a servant heart, a pastor will work like a servant for God. He speaks & teaches the things God inspires him to. He will not put forth his personal opinions or desires in the Lord's name to his congregation. He is careful not to teach (or twist) the Truths of God out of his own understanding. He is guarded by his servant heart and ever ready to glorify God. All in all, a servant heart guides us to serve God fruitfully, living out spirituality in reality. We know what & when to do, to give or to take - helping us fulfil our roles & responsibilities while serving God. Best of all, we can serve our purposes in God's plan and learn to be like Christ while experiencing the joy & peace from God. Hallelujah! Irene 050303 |