My Challenge
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Matthew 5:11, NLT
The challenge I face every day is pretty much summed up in the verse above. Where am I setting my sights? Is it on ambitions I have dreamt up? Maybe I have noble or virtuous goals that I think will benefit others, my community, the poor and God’s kingdom; or perhaps my goals are more personal. Am I pursuing what I believe will make for a good life for me or my spouse or my children or grandchildren – things that will bring stability and security for those I love?
All those goals have their place, but only when surrendered to God. There are other goals too, like the desire for reputation or status or respect. Yet, if they become an end in themselves, then they will inevitably bring about my humbling in one way or another. Consider the scandals reported in the press and how the world at large — and us, if we are honest — enjoy a good fall-from-grace story.
My goal — as for any who follow Christ — ought to be humility, humility, humility. Seek to serve and not be served. Look to let go of my agenda, my ambition and my way, so I can be who God wants me to be, His humble servant.
We may never get external validation (i.e. exaltation) in this life, but the road less traveled, the road of second place (if not last), will bring reward. That is Jesus’ promise. In this life, there is the spiritual reward of the fruits of the Spirit: peace, contentment, freedom from comparing myself to others, the ability to breathe freely and sleep well at night and so on, or a reputation of integrity before God, even if my status is lessened in the eyes of the world.
Eternally, we will see glory that is swept up in the glory that is truly and rightly God’s, as revealed in Jesus. He was humbled and exalted by being servant of all. And if it's good enough for my Lord and Savior, it is good enough for me.
