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choosing to serve


NOTE: much the following was first shared in August of 2011 and remains true today.

Leadership and success gurus have often said if you want to be successful you need to first make other people successful.  Sounds like a principle from God.  Doesn't it?

I am convinced that we will make a bigger impact when we stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others.  Thinking about others has many facets to it from listening, to working, to serving with our hands or giving.  There are so MANY ways that we can serve the people around us.  There are also many outcomes that we will see when we choose to serve.  Success begins with being a servant.

Listen to what Jesus said about serving and look at what Jesus did with serving.  He will always be the epitome of being successful.

Matthew 20:16 NLT
"So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."

Matthew 23:11 NLT
The greatest among you must be a servant.

Luke 14:11 NLT
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Philippians 2:7 NLT
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

These facts are some of the reasons why our church is so excited about the back2school outreach.  Not only will we give items to students, but we will share with them and serve the kids by washing their feet.  This is flat awesome.

Last night an awesome group of people gathered to plan for this year’s outreach.  There was electricity in the air.  The best part is hearing why people serve and praying for each other.  The sense that we are making a difference is so clear and so important.

You could even become an overnight success.  Yes.  Overnight because you know and meet people who are way off anyone's radar screen.  By the way we serve people, others will know who we ultimately serve.  If we only serve those people who are like us or who will give to us, then we are missing the best of what God has for us.  It is time to serve those who can't and most likely won't give back to us.  Success really is being a servant.

back2school is an opportunity to shine.  Not for me to shine.  Not for all the churches to shine.  It time for our God and those we serve to shine.  To shine brighter than before since the real hope and purpose and push comes from God who is bigger and better than all of us.  It comes from God who has more for us than we think might be possible and has more for those we serve than they think will ever happen.  But it starts with you and me serving.

All through the months of planning and preparing it is amazing to watch people serve and give.  Beyond their ability.  Beyond their comfort zone.  All because of something much bigger in mind.  Other people.  What will we do today to help other people be successful?

Philippians 2:3-5 NLT
Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
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