A Servant Resource

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

The most important thing many people lacked today, whether in the secular or religious world is to be a servant resource for God! Christians could never please the Lord without a servant heart and attitude. To make greater impact to the Kingdom of God one must first humbled himself to be His servant. God wants to use people more effectively to accomplish His will through, but are you prepared to become His servant resource?

The movement is based on an attitude of service with humility. "To lead is to serve". This is because the Master, Jesus, taught us the model of servant leadership. He explains the approach: "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" Matt.20:25-28

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" Luke 9:23. The disciple surrenders themselves to Christ. We die to the desires of self and live for Christ. We don't make decisions that feed our ego. This is a process of daily wrestle and struggle. "Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified" Gal. 3:24.

Our servant nature, led by the Spirit, leads to the fruit of the Spirit being displayed in our lives. "Love, joy, peace, patience/ forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" Gal. 3:23, in the movement we believe that being a servant extends to our churches and organizations. We are there to serve each other's interests and consider others more important than ourselves. Many of our resources and materials go out without names and logos, as an act of service for the benefit of others. We are quick to help others succeed and raise up others to lead, again, as an act of service.

Who is the Greatest?
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servants of all" Mark 9:35. 'If you want to be great in God's Kingdom learnt to be the servants of all' wow to JESUS!

LIVE AND SERVE AS SERVANTS

1. Ask yourself some difficult questions regularly
Am I really honoring God? Is what I am doing bringing glory to God and honor to others, or is it really just promoting me and myself? Here is a practical idea. Start focusing on those people who will take on your role next and start serving them. Make sure they succeed and do the role better than you did it. Am I happy to serve God where he has put me or am I concerned with my status and title? For example: The Bible describes people with roles with gifts, not with fixed positions and titles. Being a servant means humbly serving in a role. Roles change over time as others become more and you become less. Not having a big role does not mean being less able to serve. Some of the greatest servants in the sports movement have no roles or titles at all. Any role you have, globally, regionally or locally is just as important as any other. You are there to fan the flame wherever God has put you 2Tim.1:6.

2. Do I practice putting others first?
Listen rather than think you already know it. Do you ask people questions and find out their perspectives more than giving your opinion? Take time to listen without prejudice.

Share rather than hold back. Are you being generous with your resources, time and ideas? Are you sharing anonymously so 'your right hand does not know what your left hand is doing?' Can your group serve and consider others' groups better than your group? In the sports movement we often create resources with no one's name on them and no logos. This is an act of service.

Empathize rather than judge. Do I really understand the people I am serving? Walk in the shoes of others to understand their context. Visit people where they live and don't make opinions too quickly.

3. Am I serving God and others in the small practical ways?
Be a good steward and account for everything and every opportunity you have been given. Remember to report always, with mainly the stories of how God is using the resources and opportunities given to you. These resources are often donated by people and organizations that need regular feedback. Be accurate with numbers of people and money spent. Be faithful in the smallest responsibilities God gave you and people trusted in you because of Christ Jesus. Serve others by being prompt and honest with good communication skills as the true servant of God.

"Let others know you as the big name or position you carry, but know yourself and to always remember that you are the servant of the Living God"

God Bless you - for Being the Faithful Servant for His Kingdom!