_{Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Mark 10:43 (MSG). The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you’ve arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.}

_{Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you.}

_{This is so contrary to the world’s idea of greatness that we have a hard time understanding it, much less practicing it. The disciples argued about who deserved the most prominent position, and 2,000 years later, Christian leaders still jockey for position and prominence in churches, denominations, and parachurch ministries.}

_{Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servanthood. Everyone wants to lead; no one wants to be a servant. We would rather be generals than privates. Even Christians want to be “servant-leaders,” not just plain servants. But to be like Jesus is to be a servant. That’s what he called himself.}

_{While knowing your shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. Remember, God shaped you for service, not for self-centeredness. Without a servant’s heart, you will be tempted to misuse your shape for personal gain. You will also be tempted to use it as an excuse to exempt yourself from meeting some needs.}

_{God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not shaped. If you see a man fall into a ditch, God expects you to help him out, not say, “I don’t have the gift of mercy or service.”}

_{While you may not be gifted a particular task, you may be called to do it if no one who is gifted at it is around. Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you’re needed at the moment.}

_{Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity. No special talent or gift is required to stay after a meeting to pick up trash or stack chairs. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character.}

_{It is possible to serve in church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. You must have a servant’s heart.}

_{How can you know if you have the heart of a servant?}

_{Jesus said, “You can tell what they are by what they do” (Matthew 7:16 CEV).}

Thank you Nick, as you know Eli, almost blind at the time was looking after the boy Samuel when he had heard God speaking to him thinking it was Eli speaking but that was not the case, the word of God was rare in those times, not a whole lot of talk about God and his word except in prayer at church functions and supper time and there Sabbaths, this story reminds me of the boy who cried wolf only it wasn't meant for a joke, Samuel did hear what God had to say and he proves it in chapter 3. Speaking of serving others Samuel was great at that. :) God_bless you Nick, thanks for the picture.