Improving your serving
Charles R. Swindol
Serving and giving don't come natually. Living an unselfish life is an art.
Authentic humility in no way should be confused with incompetence or lack of self-esteem. Inferiority and unselfishness cannot coexists.
Authentic servernhood calls for people with a passion for giving whatever without recognition, without reservation, without reluctance, and without restriction. and those types are rare indeed.
The Servant As a Forgiver
Forgiving improves our serve. It is God's forgiveness of us that makes possible our forgiving others.
Ture servant doesn't keep score. serve and forget.
We are to forgive as we have been forgiven.
The Servant As a Forgetter
Improving your serve includes forgetting our service
Three important characteristics of servanthood, Vulnerability, Humility, and Determination.
Bein vulnerable is part of being a servant who forgets
Thinking like a Servant Think
Our mental speculation, defense mechanisms, rationalization, and other thinking patterns that are habitual to us. we defend the old rather than consider and accept the new.
It isn't a song until it's sung. It isn't a bell untill it's rung. It isn't love until it's given away.
The Influence of a Servant
The salt of the earth
Salt is shaken and sprinkled, not poured. it must be spread out. Salt adds flavor, but it's obscure. Salt is unlike any other seasoning. Salt in the salt shaker doesn nobody any good. it has to come out.
The light of the world
It is important to you that Christ calls us what he called himself. Light.
Light is silient, no noise, no big flash, no banners. Light gives direction. Light attracts attention. you are the light in the darkness.
I am different. I am responsible. I am influential.
The Perils of a Servant
Feeling used and unappreciated. it is easy to feel used and unappreciated
Our God who rewards in secret will never overlook your commitment.
No servant is completely safe.
Most deeds will be initially unrewarded
All motives must be honestly searched
The obdience of a servant
Being a servant is unannounced
Being a servant includes receiving graciously as weel as giving graciously
Being a servant is not a sign of inner weakness but incredible strength
Obedience means personal involvement. you need to get involved, get wet, get dirty to serve
Obedience require Christlike unselfishness. giving up your preference
Obedience results in ultimate happiness. We have to carry it out before we can enter into the joy of serving. Just studying about it or discussing it produce no lasting happiness
