Servanthood

29 Oct 2009 4 Comments

by Rest Ministries in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ Jesus, Christianity, God, Human, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Resurrection, Washington

Image by slimmer_jimmer via Flickr

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ” (Philippians 2:5-7 NIV)

Attitude! How often my thoughts and feelings can rule my attitude. Like the leaves disturbed by the winds or a turbulent storm, my emotions can be all over the place. Where can I seek and find steadiness?

In this Scripture, I read that my goal is to have an attitude similar to that of Christ. In very nature he was God. He served his Father by lovingly humbling
himself to become a human being. By his death and resurrection, he achieved his ultimate purpose – to reconcile sinful mankind back to his Father.

A servant is defined as one who is “tireless” in his commitment to be a devoted and helpful follower. In my case, this would mean a follower of Christ. He perfected servanthood so beautifully that now I can join with other believers to try and learn from his example. He never wavered from the commitment he made to his Father.

Life’s harsh experiences can assault me and I crumble. Jesus was not immune to life’s disappointments — opposition to his teachings, or desertion by his
closest friends when he needed them the most. He met such dissatisfaction head-on, feeling their reality but responding in love. When his human efforts
tired him, he spent time alone to seek nourishment and direction from his Father.

God asks me to stay steady towards him whatever my circumstances. When I turn to him for strength, I can remain a tireless servant. Christ knew that a higher purpose would unfold from his obedience. In my covenant commitment to him, I choose to do the same. His strength is sufficient when I ask for it and receive it. His best will come to me as I die to self . . . for this is true servanthood.

Prayer: Lord, help me continue to seek a stance of steadiness in my attitude, becoming more like you. I want to accept the nature you modeled when you became the servant to all. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.

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