Servants don’t need to cover their walls with plaques and
awards to validate their work. They don’t insist on being
addressed by titles, and they don’t wrap themselves in robes of
superiority. Servants find status symbols unnecessary, and they
don’t measure their worth by their achievements. Paul said, “You
may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the
Lord’s approval.”^15
If anyone had the chance of a lifetime to flaunt his connections
and “name-drop,” it was James, the half-brother of Jesus. He had
the credentials of growing up with Jesus as his brother. Yet, in
introducing his letter, he simply referred to himself as “a servant
of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”^16 The closer you get to Jesus,
the less you need to promote yourself.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an
obligation.They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and
doing ministry. They “serve the Lord with gladness.”^17 Why do
they serve with gladness? Because they love the Lord, they’re
grateful for his grace, they know serving is the highest use of
life, and they know God has promised a reward. Jesus promised,
“The Father will honor and reward
anyone who serves me.”^18 Paul said,
“He will not forget how hard you
have worked for him and how you
have shown your love to him by
caring for other Christians.”^19
Imagine what could happen if
just 10 percent of all Christians in
the world got serious about their role as real servants. Imagine all
the good that could be done. Are you willing to be one of those
people? It doesn’t matter what your age is, God will use you if
you will begin to act and think like a servant. Albert Schweitzer
said, “The only really happy people are those who have learned
how to serve.”The Purpose-Driven Life 270The closer you get to Jesus,
the less you need
to promote yourself.