FOCUS LESS ON YOURSELF AND MORE ON SERVING OTHERS
- Key Verse
"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)
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Central Truth
As followers of Christ, we are called to follow His example and live our lives to serve others.
Reflections
As a single adult, there are many times when I long to be married to a beautiful wife and have some great kids. That is what I want. At this point in my life, however, God has not blessed me in this way. Does that mean that I should just sit and wait on the Lord like I am in a doctor’s office, waiting for my turn?
The mother of James and John wanted her sons to be sitting next to Jesus in His kingdom. But instead of granting her request, Jesus told the disciples that if they wanted to be great, they must be a servant.
Jesus was telling His disciples to stop focusing on what they wanted and start focusing on others. This is exactly what Jesus was doing. He did not have to leave His kingdom and come as a man to give up His life for an ungrateful people, but He did. He felt that it was better that He suffer and die and give up His life so that we could be saved.
When I believe that Jesus really did give up His life as a ransom for me, it changes everything. The Lord has given me a chance to use this time in my life to serve others instead of focusing on my singleness, which, in turn, has brought me joy that I could never have imagined.
The question I struggle with is how much I should serve or how much of my time and money I should give. Here, too, Jesus gives us a great example. He gave up everything to serve us.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you using your time, treasure, and talents to serve others? If not, why not?
2. Are you willing to give up what you want in order to love others and further the gospel?
3. Ask the Lord to open your eyes for new opportunities to serve others.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How do you become great according to verse 26?
2. Is it hard to serve others?
3. Who can you serve today?
ashika
March 15, 2010 12:19 AM
Hi Amit Can't tell u how much this has blessed me , being in the same place as u are and trying to see wherethe Lord is leading Thank You
Reggie
March 15, 2010 07:19 AM
Amit, thank you for the devotional. One man has called this the "paradox principle". You want to live? You must die to yourself and follow Christ. You want to be great? You must be a servant. You want to have? You must give. Christ's teaching cuts across the grain of our ego and pride and we find life when we "die to live".
Natalie Martin
March 15, 2010 07:39 AM
Amit, Thank you for your encouraging word today! Over the past few days, my heart has been flooded with worry and your word reminds that serving God and others will help redirect my focus off of me.
David Penuel
March 15, 2010 08:12 AM
Amit, You are an example that I wish more single adults would imitate. May your decision to be a servant continue to bring you unimaginable joy!
Todd Shaddock
March 15, 2010 08:53 AM
Amit, I love how you did NOT quantify within your first discussion question. I am moved by this very strait forward approach...either you are serving Him with your time, talents and treasures or you are not. This is not a new concept to me, however, in your words (and in your heart) I hear a real 'all or nothing' approach in this endeavour and it challenges me.
PJ
March 15, 2010 09:03 AM
Great words Brother. Your submission to the Lord and waiting upon HIM in all circumstances is so encouraging. May you continue to be a blessing to all around you.
Alicia Dean
March 15, 2010 11:27 AM
Amit, Our Community Group is getting ready to start a study on Service. I can't think of a better way to kick-start our discussion than the words you've written here. Wow! Thank you for your help, and for giving us all a good example of what it means to live for Christ!
Carrie Green
March 15, 2010 11:44 AM
Amit, Amazing devo today but what is more amazing is watching you live your life for Christ and being all in! Thank you for the way you serve our son through encouraging him, admonishing him, teaching him, loving him, praying for him, and spending time with him. I am so thankful for the example you are to him. We love you!
jake
March 15, 2010 04:16 PM
Amit, you certainly have a servant's heart my friend and I'm reminded of the same call to re-focus. After reading your profile and your devo...the single ladies are sure to line up and chase you down now. Just in case ladies, Amit can be reached at 214-***-****
Cannon
March 15, 2010 09:59 PM
Amiiiit! Great Lesson Man! Hope to see you soon!