A Servant’s Heart
Acts 6:3, 4
3 We want you to carefully select from among ourselves seven godly men. Make sure they are honorable, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and we will give them the responsibility of this crucial ministry of serving. 4 That will enable us to give our full attention to prayer and preaching the word of God.
In the Aramaic in verse 3, “carefully select” is select with awe,” that is, in the Presence of the Lord. It needs to be focused on and understood that the position of a server, helper, servant of the Lord is a very important responsibility before the Lord and others. I have often thought where would the Body of Christ be without them? Where would we be as shepherds of His flock without these humble servants of the Lord? There have been these godly people I could name who have been doorkeepers, ushers, security people, dishwashers, cleaner uppers, chair straighteners, paper picker uppers, those who notice the garbage blown on the front lawn and just don’t walk by, those who consistently help those who need tending throughout the service—the wheelchair bound, or walking with the elderly, being helpful to those who have neurological challenges, those who faithfully care for the lambs and the young, etc. The list goes on and on. I have often felt relief upon seeing one of these servants in the House of the Lord, knowing that whatever was a concern on my mind at that present moment would be taken care of, with absolutely no further troubling on my mind that it would be taken care of. There were requirements to be this kind of minister—“honorable, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom…” This is not a frivolous position and responsibility. It is serious before the Lord and before leaders and the Body of Christ. If you’re going to serve, you’d better check your life under the spotlight of the Holy Spirit to see where you truly see where you're at. Also “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,” for you never know what you will be called upon and needing to do. I love this next line, “and we will give them the responsibility of this crucial ministry of serving.” I hope everyone who is a servant in the House of the Lord know how strategic they are in standing and ministering in their post! What would we do without them? There have been times over the years that I have led worship, (which may look easy, yet is a challenge every time you lead), then preached the Word and prayed for folk around the altar for quite a long time and then have had to go around and turn off lights, check doors, and make sure all was safe and secure. Ugh! That’s an awful lot of work for one person! It may look easy, but rest assured, it is not. Verse 4 tells us that they, these servants of God, free up the pastors to give themselves to prayer and preaching the Word of God. Many hours of study and prayer go into each and every teaching. This is to be done with the least distractions as possible and these crucial servants of the Lord make this all possible. Hats off to a job well done! Thank you for your service unto the Lord and His people.
What about you? Are you a servant in the House of the Lord or a pew warmer?20% of the people do 80% of the work, and its usually the same 20%. Check your heart today and ask the Lord if it is the heart of a servant, pure and holy before Him, ready to be busy in His Kingdom. Have a great day.
