Have you ever taken a Spiritual Gifts Survey? The survey that I've taken lists one of the gifts as service. I can think of many in our congregation who consistently exhibit this gift of service. They are there at the drop of a hat when there is a need. I have taken the Spiritual Gifts Survey a few times over the years, and the gift of service has never been on my list. Does that mean I should not serve? In Philippians 2:5 I read that my attitude is should be the same attitude that Jesus had, and He took the humble position of a servant. (What? Me? Be a servant!?! But that's not one of my spiritual gifts!)
Philippians 2 is filled with instructions that could possibly turn my little me-myself-and I world upside down. It says we are to agree wholeheartedly with each other, love one another, and work together with one heart and purpose. (Verse 2) (How can that be? Surely God cannot expect me to agree that person whose views are totally opposite from mine. How can I work with one heart and purpose with that team member who is so stubborn and unbending?)
Verse 3 says, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others." (Okay, I think I can work on this one, but I do really want everyone to like me... is that so bad?) "Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." (Well, sure, I can be interested in other people and what's going on in their lives, but am I not supposed to look out for number 1, me? Surely God doesn't really mean that I'm supposed to think of everyone as better than I am. Does He? What about all those people whose lives are a wreck? Like the homeless... or drug addicts... or thieves... or... could He?!?!?
"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing, he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross." (Now wait just a minute! My attitude... the same as Jesus' attitude? Humbled position of a slave? Death on a cross? Me... like Jesus? What???)
Oh, I get it now, I don't actually have to sell myself into slavery or die on a cross. It's about my attitude. It's about the choices I make. I choose to serve. I choose not to act entitled, even though I am a child of the King of kings.
But how can I do this? How can I change my attitude? I can't do it by myself; it's just too much for me. Lord, what do I do? I want to do what Your Word tells me, but I'm just so...ME!)
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him." (Verse 14) (So I don't have to do all this changing by myself, what a relief! Lord, I need an attitude adjustment, that's for sure, but with You working in me—in my heart, in my mind, in my attitude, in my life—and giving me the desire to obey You, and the power to do what pleases You, I can see the possibilities. I can make the choice to serve you, and You will be with me, helping me to serve You with the same attitude that Jesus had. Thank You! In Jesus name. Amen.)
…. Kim Baker
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