How to Become a Secret Servant
"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself . . . When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it-quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." -Matthew 6:2-4, The Message
Ever notice how much easier it is to perform well when people are watching? Athletes kick into high gear and turn out their best efforts when the crowd cheers them on. But in the race of life, sometimes God is our only audience. Can we pray, lift the load for a hurting friend, or invest time in a tedious task if no one but God notices?
"Secret servants" must hurdle major obstacles along the path to other-centered living. Can you identify with any of these?
Hurdle #1: Observing Needs
"I'd be glad to serve if only I knew what to do! How can I become more observant of others' needs?"
Hurdle #2: Investing Resources
"I see plenty of needs, but I struggle with sacrifice. How can I set aside my interests (my time, my energy, my resources) to invest in others?"
Hurdle #3: Pacing Yourself
"I get overwhelmed trying to meet too many needs. How can I be a responsible steward of myself and still develop a generous lifestyle?"
Try the following practical assignments to provide a "boost" in overcoming these hurdles.
1. Bolster your serving power with convictions based on God's Word. Read chapter two in Philippians and keep a list of:
a) Attitudes and actions that stimulate servanthood
b) Attitudes and actions that hinder servanthood
2. List tasks in your living and work environments that nobody likes to do (e.g., clean coffeepot, empty garbage, crush cans). Which ones will you do?
3. Tuning in to what you need gives clues as to how you can serve others (see Matt. 7:12). The next time you catch yourself wanting a soda, a letter, or a phone call, ask yourself: Does someone around me need this same thing? Then buy an extra soda to share, write that encouraging letter, or make that phone call to a friend.
4. Learn to think of God as your audience. To test your progress in "secret service," try the following:
a) Give an anonymous cash gift to your pastor, a missionary, or a needy friend.
b) Set aside 10 minutes each day for a week in focused prayer for someone. Resist the urge to say, "I've been praying for you this week!"
c) How sneaky can you be? Plot ways to go undetected as you do a chore for a family member or complete a task for an office-mate.
Ever notice how much easier it is to perform well when people are watching? Athletes kick into high gear and turn out their best efforts when the crowd cheers them on. But in the race of life, sometimes God is our only audience. Can we pray, lift the load for a hurting friend, or invest time in a tedious task if no one but God notices?
"Secret servants" must hurdle major obstacles along the path to other-centered living. Can you identify with any of these?
Hurdle #1: Observing Needs
"I'd be glad to serve if only I knew what to do! How can I become more observant of others' needs?"
Hurdle #2: Investing Resources
"I see plenty of needs, but I struggle with sacrifice. How can I set aside my interests (my time, my energy, my resources) to invest in others?"
Hurdle #3: Pacing Yourself
"I get overwhelmed trying to meet too many needs. How can I be a responsible steward of myself and still develop a generous lifestyle?"
Try the following practical assignments to provide a "boost" in overcoming these hurdles.
1. Bolster your serving power with convictions based on God's Word. Read chapter two in Philippians and keep a list of:
a) Attitudes and actions that stimulate servanthood
b) Attitudes and actions that hinder servanthood
2. List tasks in your living and work environments that nobody likes to do (e.g., clean coffeepot, empty garbage, crush cans). Which ones will you do?
3. Tuning in to what you need gives clues as to how you can serve others (see Matt. 7:12). The next time you catch yourself wanting a soda, a letter, or a phone call, ask yourself: Does someone around me need this same thing? Then buy an extra soda to share, write that encouraging letter, or make that phone call to a friend.
4. Learn to think of God as your audience. To test your progress in "secret service," try the following:
a) Give an anonymous cash gift to your pastor, a missionary, or a needy friend.
b) Set aside 10 minutes each day for a week in focused prayer for someone. Resist the urge to say, "I've been praying for you this week!"
c) How sneaky can you be? Plot ways to go undetected as you do a chore for a family member or complete a task for an office-mate.
