Are you a servant? (Part 1)

Yesterday (Sunday), I did something that was terrifying!

I delivered the Sunday morning message at our church because our Pastor was away at a conference. I’m used to standing in front of groups (I’ve been a teacher for 40 years). I’ve spoken to large and small groups about a variety of topics, but this was way out of my comfort zone. Why so scary?

That’s hard to explain–I know my church family loves me. They want me to do well. They pray for me, smile at me and seem to listen attentively when I speak.

But I was still scared.

When the Pastor asked me several weeks ago to fill in, I had no hesitation in accepting, although I knew from past experience I would be nervous. Do you get nervous in new experiences? What do you do to ease your fears?

I prayed.

I asked God for guidance in choosing a topic for my message.

The scripture on the liturgical calendar for October 1 provided inspiration:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you, to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross! Philippians 2:1-8

WOW! There is certainly a lot of inspiration there for a message:

  • Love one another
  • Don’t be selfish or vain
  • Be humble
  • Value others above yourself
  • Strive to be like Jesus
  • And more…

So much to choose from, but I didn’t select any of these options.

I honed in on the word servant. Jesus took on the nature of a servant. What does that mean?

It was time for research. I delved into my Bible and put my computer (and fingers) to work. I needed to discover what the Bible could tell me about being a servant.

Preparation is important, but prayer is essential. I continued to seek God’s guidance.

Next week I’ll share what I learned as I focus on what the Bible tells us about being a servant. I hope you will join me again for the second segment of this three-part blog.

Wishing you a blessed week and lots of fall sunshine!