Throughout the New Testament, we find verses all over that are very similar to the verse above:
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Matthew 20:16.
"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'" Mark 9:35.
"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'" Matthew 20:25-28.
All of these verses seem to be mind-boggling to us as humans. In America, we see people doing everything in their power to make themselves the greatest, but what they're really doing is making themselves the least.
If anyone has the right to power, it is Jesus! He is sinless. He is the Lord of all creation! He made us all! He can do anything He desires!
Why then, did He choose to take the humble form of a human? Why did He choose to be born in a manger instead of in a palace? Why did He lower Himself in an effort to raise us up?
As I look at the life of Jesus, the way He lived doesn't make sense in my mind, yet somehow, it makes perfect sense in my heart!
Recently, I had my eyes completely focused only on what I wanted! All I could see was my own little world and what God was doing in it or what I hoped He would do in it someday! He has certainly been doing incredible things in my life, but as I focused only on me, I didn't appreciate any of the blessings He had given me.
As I focused solely on my wants, dreams, and desires, I found myself lacking depth inside. I felt like my life needed to be more than just about me.
Slowly but surely, God began changing my heart. He showed me that I needed to begin focusing on the two greatest commandments: to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength... and to love my neighbor as myself (see Matthew 22:37-40).
As I began living my life once again solely for God, I found the wholeness I was missing! God showed me ways that I could begin making a difference in the lives of those around me, and He showed me that the true key to an abundant life is not to have all the things the world has to offer... rather, the key is to serve. The key isn't to ask, "What's in it for me?" The answer is found when we ask, "What can I do for Him?"
Serving God and serving others goes hand in hand. As I serve God, He really has me serving others! My focus must be on Him, though! If I am trying to serve others without giving God a second thought, it's easy to forget the whole reason I'm doing this.
Are you in a position where you feel like your life is lacking depth? I encourage you to ask God what you can do for Him... what you can do to bless someone else! I guarantee you'll find purpose real quick!
Dear Heavenly Father,
You've shown me time and time again that the true key to finding what I'm looking for in life is not to get everything for myself but rather it is to give the things You've blessed me with back to You by serving others! Remind me, God, all the time that true greatness doesn't come in the form of superiority; rather, it comes in the form of servant-hood. Help me to live my life as a servant to You by serving others! In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
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