A Serving Servant
By Brita Crouse
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one
speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the
strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus
Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)
Let’s play a game. Can you name this quote? (Hint: Think Disney
Princess movie.)
“Life is so unnerving for a servant who’s not serving.”
This quote is taken from a song in a movie, made by a globally
recognized company, and sung by a candlestick. [1] Not a very likely place to find Christian truth, but there it
is.
I was originally made aware of this quote by a friend who is an
avid fan of this particular movie. Then I listened to this song for myself and
was struck by how much truth is woven throughout the lyrics. Life IS unnerving
for a servant who isn’t serving!
There are times when we aren’t obedient to God. We have days
when we aren’t living our lives as He intended. There are moments when our
heart doesn’t desire God’s plan and purpose for us. We have seasons when our
mind isn’t set on the thoughts of God, but on our own selfish desires and motivations.
We have times when we don’t use our God-given gifts and times when we don’t
recognize our gifts are from God. Life can seem uncertain, and even hopeless,
during those times and it feels unnerving because we aren’t serving God!
Thankfully, we have examples of serving servants and are given
the tools to live like that ourselves. We see it in the actions of God’s own
Son, Jesus, during His time on earth. We see it in the lives of the disciples,
even though they too had their “human moments.” There’s Moses, Mary, Esther,
Joseph, and Paul; all with human faults, but all willing to serve their God and
serve those around them. Their lives were rich and full, but certainly not
easy.
Living the life of a serving servant is rewarding and fulfilling,
but it does not come without challenges. Yet, God promises to give us the
strength we need to live a servant’s life. He has given each of us unique gifts,
and presents us with opportunities to serve using those special gifts. All our
thoughts, actions, and words should reflect those of a serving servant because
what good is a servant who doesn’t serve?
So, if you ever feel unnerved, maybe you need to serve!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who do you need to
start serving?
2. Where do you need to
start serving? (Home, church, work, your community, etc.)
FURTHER READING:
Brita is
currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past
seventeen years.
[1] Still not sure?
It’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast!
