Thursday thoughts: Be a servant

A normal scenario at our house involves "strong discussions" over who will get to shower last. Now, mind you, most things at our house are based on who gets to go first.

They always want to be first in a game, first one to the car so they can sit in the front, first one to choose which freshly baked cookie they want, and just first because it makes them feel like they get the best of the situations. They seem to always want to be first in something that is important to them or something they really want.

However, when it comes to the shower, the two youngest girls always say, "I call going last." I can tell you the reason they do this is that taking a shower ranks last on their list of fun things to do.

I was thinking about this scenario, and I immediately thought of the scripture in Mark 9:35 where Jesus was talking to his disciples and He said, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."

The truth is, it seems in our world today that we can easily become concerned and sometimes consumed with being first, getting recognition, or just being the best. Jesus is more concerned with our desire to serve others rather than any of these things. Of course, the Lord would convict me of this as I started to type this article.

I was actually talking to Wayne earlier and basically "whining" about not getting credit or being appreciated for some of the things we might do. Maybe we do get credit, but I just don't hear or see it. Basically, I want my efforts to be recognized.

I am desiring something that is not in line with what scripture is saying. We must be servants to others at all times. Don't expect to be first or get noticed. Just obey and serve. It doesn't matter if others don't acknowledge or notice your efforts. God does, and that is what matters eternally. Colossians 3:17, the Message Bible translation, says, "Let every detail in your lives, words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

To me, the lesson is to just serve - don't expect something, just serve. Expectations are an emotion, and our emotions can disappoint us. If we are expecting to be first, be noticed, or get credit, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.

Scripture tells us to be servants. We have to make others see Jesus through our words, our actions, and the way we live our lives. When serving others, we should do it without expectation, recognition, or payback.

I started out this article aiming to go an entirely different way, but God knew my heart needed adjusting. I want to be the best servant for God that I can be. I want others to see Jesus in me. I am grateful God will still convict me even when I wasn't planning on it. He loves me that much.

I want to serve others, and I want my grandchildren to learn and see that God desires us to be servants. My prayer is that God will continue to convict my heart to serve rather than to expect. And just so you know, I'm pretty sure the younger two granddaughters will learn you are being a servant when you offer to get in the dreaded, no-fun shower first, and you might even get in before all the hot water is gone.

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