Serving Others?
We live in a society that places little value on serving others. Most people are focused on what they can get others to do for them and how they can receive honor and promotion. Yet God honors those who are willing to serve. Jesus Himself was the epitome of a servant as He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…” (Philippians 2:7).
As God, Jesus had every right to be served. However instead of insisting on His prerogatives, He laid aside His rights and became a servant. But His service went far beyond living a life dedicated to helping others. “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Because of love, Jesus was willing to die for those who did not love Him.
Being a servant requires that we focus more on others than we do on ourselves. When we are willing to give up our own preferences and conveniences for the sake of others, we are living as Jesus did. He made the choice to humble Himself, even to the point of death. Most of us are not called on to go to that extreme, but we should be willing to lay aside our focus on self for the sake of others.
When we make that choice, it does not go unseen by God. The humility and service of Christ produced great honor: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (Philippians 2:10). If we are willing to serve and leave it up to God to reward what we do, we will have accomplished what is most important—and we will one day hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)
