A Real Pilgrim's Progress: A Purpose Driven Life

A Purpose Driven Life Chapter 34 - Thinking Like a Servant

Thinking, acting, living like a servant of all

Chapter Overview: Service starts in your mind. Rick writes about 5 attitudes that real servants serve God with

Servants think of others more than they think of themselves.
Servants think like stewards, not like owners.
Servants think about their work, not what others are doing. The old comparison trick. This one is pretty key.
Servants base their identity in Christ. You are loved by God even if you are unproductive.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. "..serve the Lord with gladness"

2011 (40 years old)

It's been interesting this week as I've been on the cusp of making some big decisions regarding projects. I needed to know what God's will was for them. Did he want me to take them on? Leave them? God, what is your will? Eventually God lead me through a series of scriptures that helped me get some peace and clarity. Rom. 12:2 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to prove what the good and acceptable will of the Lord is." "Renew your mind with the washing of the water of the word" and Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee. But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." I don't have the specific answer I wanted, but I have the peace and assurance that God is with me.

A quote in small group tonight I really liked was something like this:

The best advertisement for Christianity is Christians serving God with Joy and gladness.

The worst advertisement for Christianity is Christians being grumpy complainers.

2016 (45 years old)

To be a servant I must think like a servant. 'Your attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus'. Phil 2:5. Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others? I think I'm ok here, but I have to remember to watch my attitude. Definitely there are times at the hospital when I falter and get frustrated or prideful and I can't/shouldn't do that. It's about the heart. I liked 3 points in this chapter:

1. Servants think more about others than about themselves (is your service self-serving?).

2. Servants think about their work, not about what others are doing (comparing).

3. Servants base their identity in Christ (let go of insecurity and truly loves others - serve out of a heart motivation and position of love)

For background on what these 'Purpose Driven Life' posts are about, click this link.

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 1 - Its Not About Me

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 2 - You Are Not an Accident

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 3 - What Drives You?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 4 - Eternity In Our Hearts

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 5 - What is Life?

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 6 - Life on Earth is a Temporary Assignment

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 7 - The Reason for Everything

Purpose Driven Life Chapter 8 - You Were Planned for God's Pleasure