"Have You Been Served?"  

By Calvin and Lisa Wulf

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."  Mark 10:45 (NIV)

He clicks the reply button and e-mails his friend. "Thanks for asking how I 'm doing.  You know, I used to struggle.  I just felt hassled all the time.  Then I discovered a secret that changed everything and now life is great.  Here's the trick – I've learned to organize all the people in my world to serve ME!"

Sounds like a great plan.  We get other people to do whatever we want.  Everybody obediently meets all our needs.  After all, it's their job to please us.  Living at the center of the universe sounds really fun.  Or is it?

In the eyes of the world, being the master is always better.  But the thrill eventually wears thin.  When we're at the center of everything, our world shrinks.  We're limited and constricted by our own thoughts and pleasures. Isolation and loneliness become our ultimate companions.

The Lord walked among us as one who served.  He put himself last and waited on others, sometimes in the meanest of circumstances.  The question is – how do we apply his example to our own lives?  Must we be pack ponies bound in slavery to others until we drop from exhaustion?  No.  God only asks that we be humble and willing to serve others.  

 God works through people.  If we're absorbed with being served, we're not good conduits.  Remember, a servant doesn't manage his own life.  If we still want to be waited on, then we're in control, not God.    

 Need to shift gears from served to servant?  Consider these points:

·        Where are you on the attitude spectrum?  Humble servant or superior master.

·        Don't restrict your life.  Serve others and open new vistas.

·        Who does God want to help through you?  Sit a spell and ask him. 

 When you focus on yourself, the only joy you have is yours.  It's like being painting yourself into a corner.  But serving others opens vast possibilities.  So why not be a blessing to many?  Follow the example of Christ.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

© 2007 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf