Devotion 

Cleaning the church toilets, washing dishes after a fellowship meal, going to minister under the bridges—many of us shy away from these ministry opportunities or maybe never think about them. From the surface, they don’t look rewarding or important. They seem insignificant, “someone else’s problem.” Maybe that’s what the mother of James and John was thinking in Matthew 20:21 when she asked Jesus for a favor—for her boys to sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. Maybe she thought she had watched them “suffer and serve” long enough in their travels with Jesus; the few years of walking to different towns, casting out demons, and not asking for anything as they went along was enough to deserve the honor. We don’t know, but many of us can resonate with this mother. We think because of what we have done, studied, given, or said, we have now reached a higher place in the church body and should receive the honor for that.

Jesus humbles her, her boys, and the other disciples—and the Holy Spirit today can humble us in the same way. Jesus responds to her favor by explaining a heavenly principle to combat their earthly thinking. He said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28.

Talk about a reality check! Here they are, fighting over who will be at His side when He is about to give up His entire life for all of mankind! He tells them even He came to serve others—so why would we think for a second that we shouldn’t do the same? We are called to walk as He did. That includes serving even in the lowliest of places.

Next time something arises that gives you an opportunity to serve, in any capacity, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in stepping in. The real honor comes from obeying the voice of the Lord—honor that can even be given for sweeping the floor.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess I have often longed to lord authority over my brothers and sisters, and I have often given into that temptation. Oh God, forgive me for my sin! Purify me from this unrighteousness. Give me the heart of a servant. Help me be more and more like Jesus, not like the tyrant that I am so inclined to be. Deliver me from the empty way of life struggling for power and control. May your power be made perfect in my weakness and my servant heart. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

In addition to being willing to serve where God is calling you, you don’t need to feel pressured to give of yourself beyond what you can do in your present season (considering other obligations). If you are eager to serve, the biblical principle that one who is faithful with little will be faithful with much applies to serving as well. Be consistent and faithful, even if you feel it’s small. There are many examples in Scripture that God sees you wherever you are, and He is well able to open the door to greater service and greater authority at the right time.

• Serve Teams: Volunteer to walk in your calling through service. freechapel.org/serves

• Outreach Activities: Join Free Chapel’s mission to inspire others for Jesus. freechapel.org/outreach