Matthew 20: 26-27
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
You've probably heard this paradoxical command before. Rephrased: The first shall be last. The last shall be first. We know it, but we have a very hard time living it. Society wants us to lead and be noticed, and that's what the mother of James and John wanted for them.
When I was a volunteer with the youth program at my church, I worked with a guy named Chuck. Chuck was military. He worked at CentCom. He was tall and serious, but had a heart of gold. He never drew attention to himself and if the garbage needed to be taken out, he was on it.
One day I was pulling into the church parking lot and I saw an empty beer case. I drove by. Then I thought of Chuck. I stopped, put my car in reverse and picked it up to throw it out. I told him later that he inspired me and he smiled and gave me a hug. That's what I want to be. I want my actions, my service and my love, not my spotlight to lead people.
If you know a Chuck, thank him for serving and then look for one way today you can be great by being small and servant-like. Someone might just see you and get inspired to do the same.
