The Greatest Servant

"The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 23:11, NIV

When I was growing up, I have fond memories of a sweet, African-American lady I knew. She was an employee of the church, hired to work in our nursery, watching children while the parents went to Sunday School and worship service. She had a quiet disposition. She was easy to love. I remember wanting to hug her every week. She diligently changed diapers, wiped noses, and cleaned up toys after toddlers emptied the toy boxes. She never complained, she just did it. She was loved by all who knew her.

As far as I know, she never had her name announced in a church service. She didn’t have a building, or even a room in the church named after her. She had never won a beauty contest of which I am aware. She didn’t appear to have a lot of money. She was just a simple lady, with a lot of class, and a whole lot of love. I have a suspicion that if she had ever had a need, someone in the church would have easily come forward to meet it, because she was a princess among people.

What was special about my friend? It wasn’t her position. It wasn’t her bank account. It wasn’t her connections. It wasn’t her education. It wasn’t even her abilities. There were others who might have been more qualified, at least on paper, than she was at her work. No, I think she was special because of what was in her heart. She treated everyone the same; with love and grace. She had a servant’s heart. Not because she had to, or because she was getting paid to, but because that was the way she was. She loved people and so she wanted to give them the best of herself. She was great among mankind, because of her servant heart.

What is defining your greatness? Are you great because of the standards set by society, or are you great because of the love within your heart? In God’s Kingdom, greatness is never greater than as defined by a servant’s heart. Does that describe your heart? Does it describe mine?