|
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Today's Frontline Devotion
Wednesday, June 4, 2003 Our Self Identity |
|
Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, June 4, 2003 By Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
Today’s Text: Matthew 20: 25-28
There is a popular commercial on television in which 2 young people are walking down the street wearing really cool blue jeans. All of a sudden, these two are frozen in their footsteps as hundreds of steer come storming at them. Instead of running, they stay put to see what happens. As advertising does so well - there is a happy ending. The people in cool jeans stay anchored while the hundreds of steer miraculously curve around them. It is indeed a special moment.
Perhaps you sense a little sarcasm in my voice. \I’m not one who believes that the clothes you wear makes you a heroic person, but the image of a person going against the flow of the masses is something I can grab hold of in today’s message. What Jesus was teaching in today’s lesson is a message contrary to popular opinion. I don’t know about you, but I hear countless messages that teach about the importance of self. In a time in which many lack a sense of community, who else is there to reward other than yourself. The pursuit of personal pleasure, the pursuit of power, the pursuit of more money, the pursuit of all the latest gizmos for ourselves are a sign of the times. To this, Jesus’ message rings out - that stuff is not what matters in life. If you want to be great. If you want to have a meaningful life, always be looking beyond yourself.
The call in the text today is to identify yourself as a servant of God. The call is to pursue a lifestyle of service and try to “serve as Jesus served.” It is not a part time gig. Service is not about the jobs we have, but rather it’s about our mindset as we go about our work. I know many powerful people who hold prestigious titles and are filled with responsibilities, yet they are clearly servants. As they go about their daily work, they clearly try to model the life of Christ and bring him into their relationships with others.
When you make the choice to serve on a daily basis, you are walking against the grain of popular culture, which promotes the self. Rejoice and be glad when you go against the grain. I hope you see that as a daily choice. The one thing I have discovered in my ministry is that when a person serves enthusiastically and courageously, it has a contagious effect on others. You are a 21st century servant of Jesus. Represent him well. Go against the grain as Christ Jesus did his entire life. Blessings as you minister on the Frontlines!
Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, we thank you for this day and most importantly, we thank you for how you came and served this world. You gave your whole life so that we might be saved. Instill in us that sense of servant hood. Instill it within us each day, so that we might go out and reach out in new ways to the people we work with, the people we live with, and the people we encounter on the way. Whenever we face difficulty, remind us of our call to serve. When we face difficulty, remind us that you are right there with us. Help us always to walk against the grain by walking with you, the greatest servant of all. Amen
Questions of the Day
1) Do you see yourself as a Frontline Servant?
2) Does it make a difference in your life to “go against the grain” and identify yourself as a servant?
Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. They will also be posted to the web site if you want to direct others to our web site for more information. Sign up by clicking on the box below
All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org Devotions are Archived on our web site. www.goodshepherdonline.org