Lenten Devotion by Dallas Willard

Being a Servant Think for a moment of spiritual formation in the arena of social relationships. So very much could be said here. But just think of one thing only: think of those persons who have, by the grace of God, cultivated in their relationships to others the life of the servant. Everywhere they are and in all that they do, they live as a servant. You will remember that Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). And he also said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:44). By the way, it is dreadful to see this recommended as only another technique for succeeding in leadership. Jesus wasn’t giving techniques for successful leadership. He was telling us who the great person is. He or she is the one who is servant of all. Being a servant shifts one’s relationship to everyone. What do you think it would do to sexual temptation if you thought of yourself as a servant? What do you think it would do to covetousness? What do you think it would do to the feeling of resentment because you didn’t get what you thought you deserved? I’ll tell you. It will lift the burden. Excerpted from The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship by Dallas Willard. Get your copy at BibleGatewayStore.com.

Bible Gateway