“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but Him who sent Me.”–Mark 9:35-37
Our family plays a game in which we ask, “Would you rather . . . ?” then our children have to make a decision. (Example: Would you rather win a World Series or Super Bowl?) Last night, I asked, “Would you rather be a great leader or a great servant?” I barely finished the question before my 10 year old, Abigail, said, “Dad, they’re the same thing. If you serve someone, you are showing and teaching someone what Jesus would do.” Wow! After picking myself up off the ground, I realized she nailed it. Abigail understands that a great servant is always a great leader, but a great leader is not necessarily a great servant.
In the arena of competition, whether playing or coaching, we need to understand what it means to be a great servant. Being a great servant in the athletic world does not mean serving to become a great leader, but rather sacrificing and dying to self. For me, that is hard. It means putting the interests of my teammates first—on and off the field. My attitude should be like Christ’s.
1. Why do people today elevate leaders so much? Can the same be said of servants?
2. Name a great modern-day servant. Name a servant in the world of sports. What makes them special?
3. What is one way you can put the needs of your teammates before your own?
Matthew 20:23-28; 23:11-12; Philippians 2:1-11
Lord, I admit that I put my interests before others. Help me to get my eyes off myself and onto others. Show me practical ways to serve my teammates. I would rather be a great servant for You, Jesus. Amen.
