Who Do You Serve?
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
James and John wanted to be next to Jesus in places of
honor and glory. They wanted to be held in high esteem by others. They wanted to be above the pack.
They didn’t understand what was to come, of course. Do
we ever? We’re so focused on ourselves that we can’t see the bigger picture. We
can’t see Jesus. The only image before us is the image of ourselves.
A dear man heads up a committee. He’s proud of it. He’s
been the chairman for several years. He’s even in charge of the same committee
on a multi-church level.
This man loves to serve. He cooks food for an outreach
ministry. He shares Jesus at other venues. He’s such a good, giving man – so long
as you do everything exactly to his specifications and his timetable. He’s so
controlling that he has almost single-handedly destroyed the very ministry he
leads.
Two women devote hours to their church committee.
Please note the use of the word “their” committee. They have worked hard to
make sure the committee only includes people who agree with everything they “suggest.”
They aren’t looking for other ideas. They simply want people who will step up
and do their bidding however they choose things be done. I’m sure you can
imagine the grumbling from others. They don’t care. They’re so busy being in
charge that they don’t realize they’re on the cusp of standing alone.
Welcome to church politics. I have watched two or
three people generate enough divisiveness to “run” off a good preacher. I have
witnessed churches split apart over how to spend money. I have seen churches
die because they refused to welcome any new members into their midst.
There’s something about power and prestige that makes
us forget that we don’t always have the answers. There’s something about being
in charge that makes us forget that other people sometimes have more wisdom
than we do. And there’s something about control that makes us forget that God
reigns, not us.
Satan knows just what buttons to push to turn
otherwise good Christians against each other. He knows exactly who to target to
create chaos rather than growth and renewal. We’re engaged in spiritual
warfare, whether we acknowledge it or not.
The only way to battle Satan is through the armor of
God. Jesus won the war but Satan is after anyone who desires to serve Christ.
He knows that the very best way to accomplish his goals is to turn God’s people
against one another. Don’t let him.
It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about
bringing God glory and honoring Him in all we say and do. Check your egos at
the door. Leave pride outside in the trash. Be the least so you can bring honor
to God our Father and Creator.
Do you want to be first? Then live your life being
last.
