Improving Your Serve

by Charles Swindoll

Why can’t we put selfish things aside and adopt the spirit of a servant? I think it’s because we are driven by dreams of success. Is that fueled by wanting a particular car, home, or maybe a boat? I don’t know it varies from one person to the next. I do know we do not serve God and each other the way we should. Each of us have our own dream and it is big business. No wonder thinking like a servant is so hard. We work long hours, push ahead, let nothing hinder us — not our marriage or family, not our convictions or conscience, not our health or friends. This is who I once was.

We find in 1 Peter 5:5-7 that there are three things related to true success: authority, attitude, and anxiety. The best part of this is that following God’s directives will bring one benefit not found in the world’s empty promises: a deep sense of lasting satisfaction. It’s what we could call ‘the forgotten side of success.’ I would like to add that it is this success that will come to those who wish to develop the heart of a servant. There are a couple things you need to do though. First, submit yourself to those who are wise. Listen to what they have to say, be accountable and open, accept their suggestions, and follow their model. Second, humble yourself under God’s mighty hand. We have to refuse to manipulate circumstances or to maneuver people as a promotional scheme. We have to let God be God. Third, we must throw ourselves at the mercy and care of God. Anxiety will come, count on it. Troubles and disappointments will appear. So. what should we do when they do? Give it to God! Cast your burdens and anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. What I have learned is that when God is in charge, both the timing and the extent of whatever success He may have in mind for you, will be better than anything you could have created on your own. So, quit pushing success on your own. Let God guide you and you will not only be successful, but also satisfied.