Power is a whispering liar and always promises more than it can deliver.

For example, pursuing inner satisfaction and contentment through control never ends with genuine peace. However, Christ can deliver the inner serenity we seek, but His way is one of a servant.

The original disciples struggled with reconciling the concepts of power and service. On two separate occasions Jesus stopped and specifically rebuked their notions of greatness. On one occasion, when James and John desired privileged seating in the new kingdom, they even boasted of being able to handle everything Jesus could (drink the same cup and be baptized with the same baptism). But Jesus calmly spoke of a different mindset:

“…but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:43b-45 NKJV

What’s your idea of greatness? If you’re a minister, are you content to be known as a “pastor” or do you secretly hope to be identified more as a great “communicator”? As a believer, are you content with serving “as to the Lord” (regardless of who sees it), or do you secretly hope to be recognized by your peers “for your sacrifice”? We all struggle with it; perhaps in the role of parent, student, employee, etc. May our lives today be “but to serve”…and according to the Lord; that’s greatness.