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 for 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).  :)

At your service Bizzy Thomas

God_bless you.

Thomas,

Thank you for this.

Service is a big thing in my life.

I'm no saint but I do not feel that serving is hard.

To serve in the way that is expected of you may be a little harder and also, I have never been asked to make huge sacrifice to serve. I like to think that I would not be found wanting.

A servant's heart is something to covet.

Roger

Hello Thomas, and a Very Happy Birthday! (belated, I just saw that the 28th was your day). My daughter's is today. Oh you Aries people! So fiery about life and all you do! No wonder people are so attracted to you! Oh another favorite subject! And when I think of it I think of Christ, the humble Suffering Servant, who had power to save his life but yet willingly laid it down for his Friends! And in the face of shame and mockery and hatred at that! To think, that God himself, made himself a man in order to suffer and die for the very race of people who would crucify his awesome gift of Love! And to think that we often have too much pride to withhold an evil response or a retaliating self justification in the face of just 1 episode of evil toward us, so that we may also suffer with him, and also display "his" Love which shines the very most in the face of evil, and has power to turn the evil in an enemies heart toward this transforming Love, if we would only humble ourselves and let it shine through us. Many times I have had people, family mostly, advice me of my weakness that allows others to get away with hurling wrongful and evil accusations at me. And oftentimes I do start to think-I really am weak because I did not or could not stand up for myself by returning a well articulated self justification, which ofcourse would also put my enemy in their place! But then I am reminded of God's Word, "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you...and your reward shall be great, and you shall be called the children of the Highest, for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil" (Luke 6:27-35) And I have seen many times over God perform the miraculous, and cause my enemies to be at peace with me and even become my allies! I have seen it happen so quickly and so distinctly when there was no other explanation for such a change in an enemy other than God must have done a work in their heart! I also have seen more rarely God confound or bring down an enemy who tormented me, but all this "when" I chose to seek humility instead of rage, and love toward these people instead of hate. I havn't always been able to do it, and even when I did, it took great effort, but after seeing what God can and will do in the hearts of people when we "choose" to respond with his love vs. our human pride, I am more compelled to seek God's transforming goodness for the other guy than to seek my own vengence and pride. "Dear" Roger, A servant's heart "is" visible in you...it is apparent that your motives are not all self focused, but that you "do" possess a genuine care for other people that is even above personal gain, and that is not to say that it's evil to seek personal gain, but it's only to say that people "can see" Motives, and when they see genuine heart above and aside from for example, a program that is being offered, not only do they really feel belief and trust in you, but God rewards you with love and success in return, for being a servant of his love which places charity above self gain. Why do I no longer get the tool bar when I respond in forums so that I have to write in plain and black letters only? Who knows? Another wonderful Word Thomas! I do enjoy these! Kim

_{Hi Kim,}

_{i'm glad to have somekind of learning curve for the}

_{faithful to learn from,}

_{it's part of my job, but i personally dont look at it like one,}

_{it's a lifestyle literally, one that i enjoy very much!}

_{Roger i believe that Kim was concerned about your servant hood, it's evident you have one. Thank you Both for sharing!}

_{God_bless you.}

_{I hope these help you figure for yourselves}

_{what God wants from you.  :)  P.s. Kim about your type?} 

_{Go to your (Account) drop down menu}

_{and there click on personal, on that page is a button for (you get what you see) page, click it}

 _{if it isnt then it must be your brouser.}