Humility in Action (Oct. 20)
Read: John 13:2-17
In God’s economy, leaders are called to be servants. This shows the godly character of humility in action.
In John 13:2-17 we find Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. The King of Kings serving as the lowliest of servants. He is the perfect example of a servant leader and humility in action.
I love serving and leading but my motivation for these hasn’t always been from a place of humility. In my early adult life my service came from a place of pride. Simply put, I was somehow trying to repay the Lord for His death on the cross for me. I knew this wasn’t true, but I acted as if it were.
Serving overseas seemed to be the ultimate sacrifice of service for what Jesus had done for me; what could cost me more than leaving my safe home and immediate family? In my mind – nothing. But it didn’t work out like I thought it would; and it’s no wonder because my service was about me and what I thought I should do, not about what the Lord was asking me to do.
Fast forward several decades – lots of life lived, lots of time spent with Jesus and his Word, and thankfully I am learning how to serve Jesus from a place of humility and complete dependence so that He gets all of the glory. In a nutshell service starts with the heart, a humble heart.
When my heart is full of pride it is full of me. When my heart is humble it is more concerned about God’s glory than my glory. When my heart is humble, by God’s grace, it sees and confesses the sin of pride. My service then comes from a place of complete dependence on God.
Dependence on God, not on me. I have to let go of my expectations of how the service and results should look. As a leader, I don’t have to get my own way. The outcome is out of my hands and in the capable hands of my Lord. I do my very best and leave the rest to Him. I am a tool in the hands of my Creator. When I let go and submit to Him completely I am most like Jesus and can humbly serve.
Servant leadership comes from humbly and joyfully laying everything at His feet and resting in Him completely for the outcomes. I believe that this is the way God wants me and you to serve. From hearts that are humble, resulting in His peace, His blessing and His glory.
Action Step: Listen to the song “Humble Me” by Melonee Pigott and ask the Lord to reveal any pride in your heart that is keeping you from serving for His glory.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess my heart is full of pride and that I have no power to change it. Only by your divine grace and rescuing transformation can my heart be humble. Please forgive me for being proud and so easily forgetting that You have given me all things. By your grace help me to live, love and serve humbly like Jesus. In your name, amen.
Author: Stephanye Foster