Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God

Point to Ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant.

Verse to Remember: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

[Read More] thoughts on Day 34 of Rick Warren‘s Purpose-Driven Life* including what it means to think like a servant.

Rick rounds out our discussion of servanthood with a list of five attitudes. Real servants:

* Think more about others than themselves (self-forgetfulness, self-denial)

* Think like stewards, not owners (when Jesus is your Master, money serves you, not vice versa)

* Think about their work, not what others are doing (no place for petty jealousy)

* Base their identity in Christ (not status symbols)

* Think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation (serve the Lord with gladness)

There’s really not a whole lot I can add to that, so let me just close by quoting the lyrics (midi, guitar) to the Larry Norman song I linked to yesterday. I often use it as my personal theme song ever since I learned it while part of Royal Servants in 1983:

I Am A Servant
By Larry Norman
From the album In Another Land
Copyright 1975 Phydeaux Records

I am a servant, and I’m listening for my name
I sit here waiting, I’ve been looking at the game
That I’ve been playing; I’ve been staying much the same
When you are lonely, you’re the only one to blame

I am a servant, and I’m waiting for Your call
I’ve been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall
How can You use me when I’ve never given all?
How can You choose me when You know I quickly fall?

So He feeds my soul and He makes me grow
And He lets me know He loves me
I am worthless now but I’ve made a vow
I will humbly bow before Thee
Oh please use me, I am lonely

I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There’s been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I’m learning there’s no returning once I start
To live’s a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need Your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am Your servant

Prayer: God, that pretty much says it all. Father, help me to be a servant. Grant me a pure heart, that I may see you. Teach that the only satisfaction to the longings of my heart is to die to myself for the sake of others. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.