article-NovDec-aservantsheart

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It was an intense day for our medial missions team in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people pushed and shoved their way forward as they clamored towards the gate entering our medical clinic and compound. Each person had been given a ticket with a number, and each one would be seen at some point in the day by our medical team – but each and every person there was struggling to be first. Everyone was sure they were number #1.

As I triaged and registered the patients we had called through the gate, I was constantly called away from my task by the guards. “Madam…this person has a very special case, we must let them through first.” Or “Madam, this person is a very important official in this community…even though he came late and does not have a number, we need to let him in first.” Even though there were hundreds of more urgent and critical cases in line begging to be seen, this “important official” was convinced that he deserved to be first.

Then there were the areas of religious prestige. “Madam, I’m Muslim or Hindu, so you should see me first.” Or “I’m Christian like you, so you should see me first.” (As if either are more deserving of care then the other.) And on and on the requests went. Even the policemen, who were suppose to be helping us with crowd control, pushed and shoved their own way to the entrance, begging to be seen by our doctors and dentist...FIRST! It was mayhem…all pushing and shoving, and all feeling that THEY of ALL PEOPLE, should receive our special services FIRST. It was only a bit of concrete and metal that keeps the mob from stampeding forward and crushing us all.

Amazingly, during our five days of medical work in Jalchatra, Madhupur Bangladesh…we did not get stampeded, and we saw over 3,000 patients – a number that broke the record of the last 3 years. As I reflect back on the scenes that took place before me during those few brief days, I realize that even though the chaotic clamoring for attention seemed to be the outflow of being in a third-world country, filled with poverty and despair, in reality their actions weren’t really “third-world” after all. Even back in good old USA, everything is about the “ME FIRST” mentality.

Even in a land of comfort like America, we have just as many reasons and a thousand excuses for why WE of ALL PEOPLE should be receiving the special treatment we deserve… FIRST!!

It could be, “I have this degree or that!” “I'm a doctor,” or “I'm a lawyer”…"I'm a celebrity,” or “I'm a high-ranking official”…or “I can pay whatever is required, so treat me accordingly.” Or “I’ve made a large donation to your organization so I should receive extra perks.”

Or on the flip side sometimes it’s, “I’m a struggling single mom,” “I’m a poor student,” or “I have a difficult past and special emotional needs.” Status is something all of us crave – even if it’s negative status. We all want to feel special, even if it’s for the wrong reasons.

Religious status is, sadly, another form of the “ME FIRST” mentality that surrounds us. “I’m a missionary, I’m a ministry president, I’m the head deacon,” or “I’m part of the leadership of such and such an organization...if anyone deserves special treatment, I do!”

In fact, even in Christ’s time, the same struggle was taking place, not just in the heathen mobs around him, or within the obvious pride of the pompous Pharisees, but among his very own disciples. “Who is going to sit next to Christ on the throne? It has to be ME…I deserve to be FIRST.”

by Melodious Echo

Yet, how contrary to Christ whole nature and mentality this struggle is. In fact, it makes me wonder, if this is our mentality, are we truly surrendered to Christ?

Christ has left us a very clear pattern and example…and yet we always seem to be looking for “exceptions” or reasons why WE should not have to follow it.

“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt 20:27-28

“Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant…” Phil 2:5-7

The form of a servant. Wow…what a concept! How many of us are seeking to pattern our lives after the “form of a servant”?? Can you just imagine the latest breaking news from Hollywood Boulevard, “Celebrity clash over who gets to pick up the trash and feed the homeless!” or "Celebrity does not want to accept Oscar award, but pushes for it to be given to another!" Or what about from our own comfortable church pews…“Conflict at church service over who gets to wash everyone’s feet!” In fact, we could even make headline news from our own homes. “Family members fight over who gets to clean the house, wash the dishes, take out the trash, be last in line to eat…and on and on!” The above scenarios are so unheard of, they are comical. (Of course, if “true servanthood” was practiced as God ordained it, there would be no fighting either… it would be a team spirit of give and take and working together in unity and peace for the betterment of all involved!)

As I contemplate these concepts and our need of “true servant’ spirit formed by a surrendered heart,” I’m

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I’m reminded once again…“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.” II Corinthians 3:5

Only God can give us a servant’s heart!

Paul writes a statement that I believe should be the summary and sole focus in all that we breathe, live, and do:

“For I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” I Cor 2:2

So simple, and yet so profound. This is the key a servant’s heart; the selfless, serving lifestyle that Christ asks us to embrace.

For we are nothing apart from Christ, we can glory in nothing apart from Christ. But when we have Christ, we have everything…and through Christ, we can do what the carnal man cannot do. In spite of our ME FIRST tendencies, we can gain a true servant’s heart. But the key is Christ!

The following quote sums it up precisely I think, and gives all of us a convicting challenge:

“You may have left much to follow Christ…you may have believed on him, and worked for Him, and loved Him, and yet may not be like Him. (Ouch!! Really??) Allegiance you know, and confidence you know, but not yet union….There are two wills, two interests, two lives. You have not yet lost your own life that you may live only in His. Once it was I and not Christ; then it was I and Christ; perhaps now it is even Christ and I. But has it come yet to be Christ only, and not I at all?”

As I have once again experienced a few short weeks of service in Bangladesh, I am again reminded of the inadequacies and weakness of my flesh, the struggles of my will, and my heart’s own battle against self…and my prayer to know nothing save “Christ and Him crucified” grows stronger and stronger. *

“From silken self, O Captain, free

Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From all that dims Thy Calvary

O Lamb of God, deliver me.”

-Amy Carmichael

Christ has left us a very clear pattern and example…and yet we always seem to be looking for “exceptions” or reasons why WE should not have to follow it.

I’m a country girl from the Ozarks of Arkansas, currently serving as a "missionary" in Southern California. While a Registered Nurse by profession, most of my time is spent working with various youth ministries, overseas missions, orphan ministries, doing personal evangelism, and writing/blogging to encourage my friends in their walk with God. I love living the adventure of the "Set-Apart Life" and my greatest interest and passion is living daily for my King, and sharing the joy of this journey with others.

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