The Heart of a Servant

I am always encouraged by the many displays of generosity, sacrifice, and service in and around the Shelby Crossings church family. We live in a world that talks a good game, and likes to signal its virtues on every side. Rarely do people give or serve or do "random acts of kindness" without making sure to post it on social media for all to see. But genuine service is motivated out of a heart of selflessness and Christ-likeness.

That brings to mind one of my favorite passages, from the apostle Paul's words in Philippians 2. The chapter begins with a call to unity, and then explains the key to living that out--our call to consider others more important than ourselves, and have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who traded in heaven's glory for the life of a servant, even to the point of dying on the cross for the very ones who betrayed Him.

I have a little coffee-table type book I received several years back as a gift from a Christian internet site that I had registered with. It's called The Gentle Art of a Servant's Heart, with art by Vincent van Gogh and quotations by Chuck Swindoll from the Beatitudes.

I wanted to share with you a few meaningful quotes from Swindoll, minus the van Gogh art. May God use them as He continues to mold our hearts into Christ-likeness. 

"The attitude of being poor in spirit is one of absolute, unvarnished humility. It is the portrait of one who sees himself/herself as spiritually bankrupt, deserving of nothing...who turns to Almighty God in total trust."

"The person with a servant's heart--not unlike a child trusting completely in his parent's provision--is promised a place in Christ's kingdom." 

"A true servant stays in touch with the struggles others experience. There is that humility of mind that continually looks for ways to serve and to give."

"In the ultimate victory the gentle will win. Believe that, servant-in-the-making! Be different from the system!"

"Servants with renewed minds have a perspective on life and power to live life that is altogether unique--divinely empowered. That explains how wrongs can be forgiven, and how offenses can be forgotten."

"True servants are merciful. They care. They get involved. They offer more than pious words."

"Servants who are 'pure in heart' have peeled off their masks. And God places special blessing on their lives."

"It is doubtful Jesus despised anything among those who claimed to serve God more than hypocrisy--a lack of purity of heart. It represented the antithesis of servanthood."

"We don't need more knowledge than we already have. All we need is the will to do what needs to be done."

May the Lord give us all servant's hearts, as we serve Him through serving one another. I'm praying for you, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. 

--Pastor Ken