The Look of A Servant

My son is a huge San Francisco Giants' fan and I have slowly begun to adopt this team as my own, although my first MLB love will always be the Baltimore Orioles.  We have gone to watch games at AT&T Park, which is a magnificent place to view a game.  Each game is charged with electricity as a sell out crowd roots on the home team.  There is nothing like the atmosphere of being at the game, live and in person.

However, this can be an expensive and time-consuming experience.  So on Sunday, we went to a friends' home to watch the game.  It was an exciting game as the Giants won in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two out RBI double which barely got over the right fielder's head.  Now, my friend has high definition TV, which isn't something we see often.  This means that everything we see is clearer and sharper.  I enjoy watching the fans as they show close-ups of the players to try and figure out what is happening in the stands.  On one particular shot, I could see a father in the stands carrying his young son in his arms because the son had fallen asleep.  Probably crashing from too much sugar.  Anyway, I find it fascinating to watch the fans because I enjoy watching people.  Though the game is not about the fans, without the fans the game would be much less exciting and emotional.  All you have to do is contrast an A's home game with a Giant's home game and you will see what I mean.  The fans make the baseball game a contest with emotions and momentum.  Yet, the fans are not the focus and when they try to get too involved (Running on the field or interfering with a live ball), they are escorted out of the stadium or arena.

That really made me think about Jesus' words concerning greatness.  Jesus turned the popular notion(The same notion is popular today) that being great means being the one who gets the attention and is adored by the fans.  His definition of greatness is that greatness is defined by how much you serve.  The first will actually be the one who puts others ahead of himself/herself.  Jesus defined greatness by how willing we are to minister to other rather than seek the limelight.  The greatest servants are not usually the ones standing in front on Sunday mornings, teaching, preaching, praying and singing.  The greatest servants are the ones watching the babies and toddlers in extended care so parents can focus on worship.  The greatest servants are the ones who make sure the words to the songs are printed in the bulletin or are seen on the screen at the right time.  The greatest servants are the ones in the pews who see someone who is hurting and sit beside them during the service.  Or they greet someone they do not know and begin to talk with them about important and eternal matters.  Or they sense someone is struggling and pray for them.  The true servant serves because they want to honor Jesus, not so others will honor them.  The greatest are embarrassed when someone points out their service because they didn't serve for any acclaim or pat on the back. 

I thank God that I am allowed to serve in a church where this is valued and modeled by our humble leaders.  Spiritual pride can creep into a church quickly if leaders aren't true servants of Christ.  Each Sunday as I preach, I can tell the look of a servant because so many of you have that look.  As we prepare for the Hillcrest Community Fair on July 20th and Vacation Bible School, I look forward to spending time with you  wonderful servants.  Thank you for setting an example for your pastor and others who visit Hillcrest Baptist Church.  The look of a servant is...you!