A Season Of Service
By Pastor Timothy Burdick
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (Matthew 20:26-27)
When we remember Christmas, most of us like to think of Scriptures like this: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”(Luke 2:6-7). But there is a problem when we continue to think of Jesus in merely a nostalgic way throughout the year. So to avoid that, let’s contrast what Luke had to say with Paul. Philippians 2:6-8 says, ”Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!”
In addition to the Christmas story in Scripture, we know that Christmas speaks of many different things to many different people. For some it might bring back nostalgic thoughts of home, where others see it as a season of joy and good will where ever they are. But since Jesus is the embodiment of service, service is one key thing that a true celebration of Christmas is all about.
Amid the holiday festivities, however, the call to service can be drowned out. I want to challenge you this year to incorporate service into your season, and then into your very life. For the one who was born in a manger said, “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (Matthew 20:26-27). If we only followed this, our world would be transformed. And by doing so, our lifestyle would become a statement to the world.
Have a Merry Christmas, Pastor Timothy
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
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