What Did You Want To Be?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a girl I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I lined up my stuffed animals and dollies and “played school”. Other days I would line up my mom’s daycare kids and do the same. I actually taught many of the kids to count and say their ABCs.  However, the dolls listened better and the stuffed animals were quieter then the daycare kids. But either way, I enjoyed standing in front of my make believe class.  I dreamed of making a difference in the lives of young children someday.

As my high school graduation neared, I thought travel and tourism sounded exciting. I even pursued a travel and tourism degree. Later, I worked as a travel agent and found that it’s not nearly as exciting planning for other people trips that you would love to take yourself.

As a 20 something I contemplated going back to school for marriage and family counseling OR cosmetology. I worked several different jobs...restaurant server, customer service rep, hotel front desk clerk, travel agent, office manager, etc.

Through it all I always wanted to be a MOM!

What did you want to do?  What did you want to be?  Did you ever dream of being a slave?  Yeah, me neither! :)

Yet, that's what I'm learning should be my greatest desire...to serve.  I don't mean being a door-mat.  I mean, choosing to be a slave. 

Do you think I'm losing it?  Take a look at this verse from God's Holy Word:

"...Whoever wants to be a leader among you must

 be your servant, and whoever wants to be first

among you must become your slave.

For even the Son of Man came not to

be served but to serve others

 and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:26-28

As a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, my desire should be to serve...as Jesus came to serve.  And not just to serve (because doesn't every wife and mom serve?!?!?), but to serve as He did, not with selfish ambition or with a grumbling attitude, rather with a humble, gentle, loving, selfless spirit.  Obediently serving out of the love I have for Him and the love that overflows from Him through me to others. 

I can choose to serve, knowing nothing I can do will diminish my value and, in the same way, nothing can make Him love me more or less.  I am His, my identity is safe with Him, and yet, He tells me to serve.  It's not an easy thing to do, but it's what Jesus told me to do...to take up my cross and follow Him.

So today I desire to be a slave!   A slave, eager to serve as my Master serves!  To have a heart open to whatever and whomever He brings in my path today. 

Yes, I want to be His humble servant.  What about you?

Lord, I need your help.  I can do nothing apart from You.  I want to be Your humble servant, unselfish and yielded.  I want to serve, as You came to serve.  To be Your slave, your hands and feet.  To love as You love.  Let my desires be Your desires, my words to be Your words, my actions to be Your actions.  I know You answer as we pray according to your will and so I believe today you will answer this, my heart's cry, as I also believe it is Your heart's cry.  And tomorrow I will pray it again.  Thank you, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

"So those who are last now will be first then,

and those who are first will be last."

Matthew 20:16