The Art of Humble Servitude: Finding Fulfillment in Being Yourself

Embracing Contentment and Service in a World Obsessed with Ego.

Have you ever taken out your Bible, set it on the table, and just let it fall open to whatever chapter and verse it happened to open to? When you do that, seeing where “God takes you” is fun!   Today’s Fist Bump is the result of where God wanted to take us when opening the Bible and letting it fall open.

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down.  Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you will get the wind knocked out of you, but if you are content to just be yourself, your life will count for plenty”.  Matthew 23:11-12 The Message.

Let’s face it: we all want to stand out and be appreciated. We all have an ego that needs to be fed. We like to be respected and recognized for what we do. It is part of human nature. But if it gets out of proportion, it can lead to PRIDE issues.   We start focusing more on ME and less on others. It is all about focusing on MY needs at the expense of what could benefit others. Much of today’s world reinforces this behavior.

“First pride and then the craash, the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” Proverbs 16:18 The Message

When our pride starts getting the top spot, we know what happens! CRASH! If tempted by PRIDE, what do we do?   Pretty clear statement in the verse above - BE A SERVANT!   There is no grey in that statement, is there?    Put the needs of others in front of your own!!   This applies to all our relationships, specifically those most important to us. Who are those people in your life you care the most about? 

“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  Philippians 2:3-4 The Message

Now, let’s focus on the second part of the verse from Matthew. It discusses “being content with who you are, and your life will count for plenty.” Many men struggle with trying to be something or someone different. They strive to be like someone more athletic, has more money, has a “jacked” body, a bigger house, etc.   We all know what happens when we go down that path. CRASH! Discontent, unhappiness, and, many times, anxiety. It is a race we can never win.   

Let’s face it: God does not make mistakes. He created YOU just the way HE intended. He wants us to be content with who we are and how he created us. In our devotions, we were reminded this week that God lays awake all night, waiting for you to wake up. He is SO excited about YOU and how HE created YOU that HE cannot sleep. Think about that. He does not care about your house, your muscles, your money. He does care about your heart. He cares about you being content. He cares about YOU, just the way HE created you.  

Men, as we head into this week, may our focus be on serving and pouring into others and being content with the unique and special way that God created every one of us. Yes, that means YOU! Relish this and enjoy the true gift of God’s Love and Grace.

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