What does it mean to have a servant's heart?
Last week we wrapped up our Daughters of Grace Series from the Daily Grace Co. While I loved diving into each woman's story from the Bible, I am looking forward to exploring new topics with you guys and answering any questions you may have! If you have a topic you want covered in our blog/Facebook live Bible study, drop it in the comments! Last week we talked about the life of Mary Magdalene and what we can learn from her story, and tonight's topic about being servant hearted ties right into the lessons we see from Mary's life. Mary Magdalene exemplified having a servant's heart throughout her life.
In church we often talk or read about having a servant's heart when seeking the Lord and loving others, but what exactly does that mean and more importantly, what does that look like for our every day lives? A servant in the traditional sense has several key responsibilities to their master and these responsibilities mirror how we can approach being servant hearted today.
A servant...
- Cares for their Master's and others' needs
- Sticks around even when things get difficult
- Is easily dismissed by others
- Has a willingness to serve beyond their capabilities
- Knows their master's voice
As a Christian and servant leader, it is our responsibility to care for others and do the things the Lord has put on our hearts. Things will not always be easy for us as Christians, and we may get written off by others, but when things get difficult we are rooted in Christ and persevere. Because of our faith, we can do things bigger than we ever thought we were capable of, but it is important we know the Lord and His voice. The last one is one of the most important traits of someone who has a servant's heart for the Lord! How can you serve the one you don't even know? You should know the Lords voice better than anyone else's because you serve and answer to Him.
What traits do you need to have in order to operate like a servant?
- humility- this means you think of yourself less than others, that you are teachable, and are vulnerable
- observant of needs- seeing the world with eyes wide open of the needs around them and being willing to enact change
- compassion- being moved by another's needs and pain
- courage- willingness to move out of your own comfort zone to serve the Lord
- a sense of responsibility- that comes from loyalty to your community and obedience to God to serve and help others
Why is it important to have a servant's heart?
As imperfect humans, it is so easy for us to begin to get prideful or to want more than we have for reasons of our own vanity. God knows this because HE CREATED US! I think that often in the Bible, parables and stories of servants are used not only because it was a relevant example during Biblical times, but because God knew that having humility always would be so important in our walk with Him. We cannot do anything for God if we put ourselves and our own desires first.
In Luke 22:20-38 we see the scene of the last supper. And right in the midst of taking communion, the disciples begin to fight over who cared for Jesus the most and would never betray Him. They even argued over who would be the greatest out of the 12. Even in the presence of Jesus in the flesh, they were susceptible to their own worldly desires and prideful thoughts. And Jesus stops the dispute in verse 26 over who would be the greatest in His kingdom by saying, "The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. (verse 27) For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." WOW! Jesus not only sat among the apostles as one who serves that night, but showed His own servitude by humbling himself and washing the disciples' feet. Jesus was the ultimate example of how to lead with the humble heart of a servant.
To develop a servants heart, you have to be in alignment with God. You must be His follower and desire to serve Him! Realizing who God is in relation to who you are will help expose areas of pride you may have but as you discover more of who you are in relationship to God, the more you can know truths about yourself and embrace true humility.
I would love to know how you are working on your servant's heart in your day-to-day life! Drop me a comment below!
