In his fine little volume In the Name of Jesus, Henri Nouwen mentions three very real,
Today's Devotion by: Pastor Churck Swindoll
Today's Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
In his fine little volume In the Name of Jesus, Henri Nouwen mentions three very real, albeit subtle temptations any servant of Christ faces. They correspond with the three temptations our Lord faced before He began His earthly ministry. They also fit with three observations the apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 4:1–7).
First Temptation: To be self-sufficient and self-reliant. Instead of being so self-assured, we need to be open, unguarded, and vulnerable.
Second Temptation: To be spectacular . . . a celebrity mentality. In Nouwen's words, "Jesus refused to be a stunt man. . . . He did not come to walk on hot coals, swallow fire or put His hand in a lion's mouth to demonstrate He had something worthwhile to say."
Third Temptation: To be powerful . . . in charge. To lead is appropriate, necessary, and good. But to push, to manipulate, to be in full control . . . never! To say it simply, one God is sufficient.
Servanthood implies diligence, faithfulness, loyalty, and humility. Servants don't compete . . . or grandstand . . . or polish their image . . . or grab the limelight. They know their job, they admit their limitations, they do what they do quietly and consistently.
Let me suggest five practical guidelines for cultivating the right kind of servant habits.
Let's serve . . . in the name of Jesus.
A servant-hearted attitude keeps us from self-minded attitude.
— Charles R. SwindollServants know their job, admit their limitations, and serve with consistency.
Credits & Acknowledgements to: insight.org