God looks at greatness in terms of service: not by how many serve you but by how many people you serve. It’s a major challenge to the world’s idea of greatness. Jesus’ disciples argued about who deserved the top spot on the team. Not much has changed. Everybody wants to lead but nobody wants to serve. 

Even enlightened Christians talk about being ‘servant-leaders.’ What’s wrong with just being a servant? To be like Jesus is to be a servant, that’s what He called Himself. Churchy people talk a lot about ‘Knowing your gift’ and that’s important, but having the heart of a servant is even more important. Why? Because without a servant’s heart you’ll be tempted to: 

a) misuse your gift for personal gain; 

b) use it as an excuse to get out of doing stuff that you consider beneath you. 

God tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not specially equipped for. For example, if you see an old geezer trip over a wonky paving slab God expects you to help him out, not say, ‘I don’t have the gift of mercy or service’ (see Romans 12:5-8). 

You may not be the most gifted at a particular task, but there’ll be times when you have to do it especially if no one else is around. You may really feel called to prayer or worship – great! But never have your head so in the clouds that you’re blind to the needs of the world around you. Your gift may reveal your ministry, but your servant’s heart reveals your maturity. Simply stated, the only way to serve God, really serve Him, is by serving those He loves!

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD , who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. ........ The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever. "

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.