Do you remember your first job? Mine was at Dairy Queen in the 10th Grade. I made a whopping $2.50 an hour! Yeah…I was really rolling in the dough back in the day. My boss’ name was Diane. She was the owner’s daughter and she ran a tight ship in that “hot eats, cool treats” establishment. If Diane gave you an order (and I don’t mean double cheeseburger, hold the pickle) she meant NOW!
I remember walking into work for the first time. I came straight from school and had just enough time to change into my uniform, which consisted of, brown polyester bell bottom slacks, dress shirt, red smock and a pointed paper hat. (Go ahead and smile) I was ready to jump in feet first. Well, my boss didn’t put me behind the cash register, or on the grill or even in the frozen custard section making masterful banana splits. She put me on clean up detail. That meant, I had to walk around the dining room cleaning tables, chairs, trays, trash cans, floors, restrooms, etc. Lots of fun…huh?
Well, I determined to make the best of my first day and I made that dining room sparkle with cleanliness!
We all have to start somewhere. The same can be said when we serve in the ministry. Unless you’re willing to serve people, wait tables and do the behind the scenes duties – you’ll never reach your full potential in the Kingdom. We are taught in Scripture to become “servants” before we can become “chiefs.”
The greatest joy you’ll have in ministry, besides leading someone to Christ, will be to serve your leader. It’s the “serving” quality you possess today that will qualify you to lead someone else tomorrow. What qualities do you possess?
1 Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
We can look at David as he served King Saul to find the example we’re looking for.
- Commitment - David served God first then others. He obediently served his father Jesse by tending his flock. He was faithful at his post and was doing what he was supposed to be doing when the prophet Samuel showed up to the house. Are you committed today? Are you walking in obedience to your assignment in the Lord? Are you committed to walk in obedience to the leader God has placed over you?
- Attitude – David had a winning attitude which enabled him to conquer life’s challenges. He defeated the bear and the lion before he ever faced Goliath. If we keep the right attitude as we serve, our past victories will motivate us to conquer the next challenge as well.
- Respectful – David honored protocol and gave place to the positional authority he served under. No doubt, he disliked the way King Saul was treating him at times yet, he remained reverent and respectful to the ordained office of his leadership. A great lesson is to be learned here: if you sow respect, you will reap respect. If you so rebellion, you will reap rebellion.
- Bravery – David didn’t bat an eye when it came time to defeat the giant, Goliath. He took his rightful place in leadership and had already counted the cost!
As we serve in ministry, our qualities will be tested to see if they qualify for honorable service. Regardless of who we serve – personality is not the issue – we must allow the principles of God’s Word to prevail in our heart so that our service will render something good for God’s Kingdom.