Do you have a servant’s heart?
Are you serving the Lord with a servant’s heart? How do you know? What exactly does it mean to have a servant’s heart? What does it look like, feel like, and if you don’t have one, can you get one?
A servant’s heart is referring to your attitude or approach to serving God. To have a servant’s heart means you feel convicted to think, feel, and do things for others without stopping first to think about yourself. It means putting others’ needs ahead of your own regardless of how you may feel about them or what it might cost you. It may involve you setting aside your feelings of bitterness, frustration, anger, or jealousy to serve obediently as we follow God’s Will. A servant’s heart should be devoted to always following Jesus’ example of servanthood without hesitation:
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
How do we serve the Lord?
There are many ways we can serve others. We can serve the Lord in different areas of our Christian walk: home, work, school, church, etc. At home we can serve by loving our family, caring for them, and doing things that make their lives richer. We can serve in our secular lives wherever we happen to be–at work, at school, at the grocery store or even at the doctor’s office. If we keep our heart and mind aware, we will find many opportunities to serve others in big or small ways. Using the spiritual gifts our Lord has given us helps us open our heart and be sensitive to these opportunities as they come our way.
Serving others, no matter how much we want to, will not always be easy. Others may not share your passion for your ministry or service or appreciate the way you choose to do it. They may feel your ministry is unnecessary or unimportant. People, even friends and family, can be quick to offer advice, criticism, or even rejection which can be discouraging.
It is essential that we remain diligent in seeking God’s will through prayer and spending time alone with God so we can be sure we are on the right path. We may even want to seek Christian-based counsel from a trusted pastor or fellow Christian. The important thing to remember is that we are serving others because it is what Jesus commanded us to do (1 Peter 4:10). He spent his entire ministry showing us how it is done. We’re not doing it for anyone else’s approval other than God’s.
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Serving in the Secular World
We serve in the secular world by taking every opportunity we have to share the Gospel of Christ. This can be at work, in school, or in our community. We serve by following Christ’s work ethic by doing our best, being honest, and loyal to our superiors, striving to respond in a Christ-like manner in difficult circumstances, and ensuring we do not react with disrespect, anger, or vindictiveness when things don’t go our way.
You would be surprised at the opportunities God will give you to serve throughout your day. Giving encouragement to someone who needs lifting up. Offering to transport someone who is without a mode of transportation. Taking meals or groceries to someone who is shut-in or homebound. Stepping in for a caregiver so they can take a well-deserved break. The opportunities for serving others for the Lord are limitless. Even small acts of service can have a big impact!
Serving the Church Using our Spiritual Gifts
Serving in our church is a little different. Hopefully we choose to serve where our spiritual gifts are utilized. Leading others in worship for example. You choose to lead others in singing and praising the Lord, not because you want to be praised for your singing (after all it’s a God-given gift) but because you want to lead others in worshiping God and preparing their hearts to receive God’s message. Teachers choose to teach because they are gifted at teaching and want others to learn God’s Word. Those who love children volunteer with children and youth because their gift is loving children. They want to share everything Jesus has done for them so they will accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
It is important to remember that God has given us these spiritual gifts (and these are just a few that have been mentioned) so that we can use them for His glory.
Serving the Church with our Skill and Talents
There are times we choose to serve in the church where our work skills have prepared us. For instance, an administrative or office person might help with administrative duties of the church (budget, record keeping, check writing, etc.); an electrician, plumber, mechanic, etc., might volunteer to serve by taking care of similar needs on their church campus. While these may not be considered spiritual gifts, these are skills that the Lord has allowed us to learn. Using these talents to serve His church is honoring to Him.
Serving the Church for the Wrong Reasons
We must be careful, however, that we do not choose to serve in an area for the wrong reasons. Don’t serve out of guilt just because there is a need and you are able to fill it. While it might sometimes work out for the good, be sensitive to what God is telling you to do.
Be careful not to run ahead of God and get in his way. Jesus might be working diligently to reach through to someone’s heart. That person might be feeling the “tug” in that direction. They might be praying about it; they might be waiting on reassurance from the Lord that this is what they need to do. If we jump in and fill a need “just because” that person might stop praying about it and considering it because they take it as a sign that this is not where they should be. This may cause them to shut down and miss that calling altogether when God was using that time to prepare them and grow them for that specific ministry.
And just because there is a need, don’t choose to serve in an area where you are totally out of place. If you hate doing dishes, you don’t need to work in the kitchen. A person who does not have patience and understanding with children does not need to volunteer in the nursery and preschool. It is difficult to serve God with a servant’s heart if you hate what you’re doing and your attitude shows it.
So, when you perform acts of service, are you serving the Lord with a servant’s heart?
Are you serving the Lord with a Servant’s Heart?
It may be necessary to periodically do a “spring cleaning” and look at how and where we have chosen to serve. From time to time we must stand back and ask ourselves “am I serving the Lord with a servant’s heart?” Or am I “just going through the motions” in order to impress those around me with how hard I work in serving the Lord?
Personally, in my desire to serve, I’ve found myself at times “over volunteering” and ending up overwhelmed and frustrated. Saying “no” is difficult for me, as well as asking, for help. Before I know it, I’m overcommitted, facing deadlines I obviously can’t meet, swallowing my pride, and asking for help to get things done.
When you find yourself doing too much, a “spring cleaning” of your schedule will help your attitude. Our focus may need to change. Are we focused on serving God or are we seeking the approval and admiration of others? Have we looked at where we are serving through God’s eyes and confirmed we are where He wants us to be? Are we bringing glory to God by serving others and putting their needs ahead of our own?
Seeking the Lord’s guidance in our desire to have a servant’s heart is crucial. Being obedient to His leading will ensure we are serving where and how He needs us, and when and where He wants us.
So, what do you think? Are you serving the Lord with a servant’s heart?
Five ways to develop a servant’s heart
Pray.
Talk with God about whether you’re serving Him in the right ministry or for the right reasons. Listen as the Spirit guides your heart in the direction He is calling you to serve. Be open to the Lord’s leading in case the ministry needs to grow, change, or move in another direction. Always remember, too, that it is not “your ministry,” it belongs to the Lord. It doesn’t have to always be done “your” way or “the way it’s always been done it before.”
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah (29:12 NIV)
Seek forgiveness when necessary.
Ask forgiveness if you’ve gotten off track in your ministry. The busier our lives get, the easier it is to lose our focus. You may also need to ask forgiveness for interfering or getting in the way of others’ service to Him. This is why the first step (Prayer) is so important. Once you are confident you are serving where God has called you to be, you can move on to the next step (Putting on Your Armor).
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Put on your Armor.
Sometimes we might receive criticism or feel ignored in our area of service. When our feelings are hurt or we get frustrated, we are not serving with a servant’s heart. We have moved over into serving for people’s approval. So, we must put on the armor Paul mentions in Ephesians. With our armor in place, we can stand firm in serving where God has called us to serve, fight off the distractions and darts thrown at us by the enemy, Satan, and be faithful in giving honor and glory to God.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17 (NIV)
Practice the Fruits of the Spirit.
As we serve, we should focus on living out the fruits of the Spirit. If we are focusing on being loving, kind, patient, generous, etc., then it should be difficult, if not impossible, to allow anger, hurt, or doubt keep us from serving where God wants us to serve.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5::22-23a (NIV)
Be forgiving and accepting.
We may be called on to practice accepting criticisms and suggestions for the reasons they are offered—as ways to improve our area of service. Whether it be teaching, socializing, working, etc., if when offered it hurts our feelings or pride, we will know we need to go back to the first step (prayer) and ensure we are serving where God has called us to serve and serving for the right reasons. We might also have to accept that it is time to step aside and allow someone else to serve where we are now serving. Our time in that ministry might be over and Jesus may be ready for us to move to another ministry.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, Romans 15:5 (NIV)
In Conclusion
The bottom line is that if we want to be a servant after God’s own heart, then we need to spend time with Him and allow Him to lead us in how we can do so. Our service should be honoring and pleasing to Him. After all, we are the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:125 (NIV)
Are you serving the Lord with a servant’s heart?
Closing Prayer
Holy Father,
Please know my heart and know that I truly desire to serve you in whatever capacity you have for me. Help me to be compassionate, encouraging, and kind to those I interact with. I pray for the wisdom to understand and discern your Word. May I have a heart that sees others through Your eyes, and the ability to love others into a deeper understanding of who You are.
Amen
All scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
