SERVANTHOOD: LEADING THROUGH HUMILITY

It is Sunday morning in Madagascar. Rija arrives early and grabs a broom. He begins to sweep around the church, preparing for a busy Sunday. Soon more than a thousand Malagasy believers will begin to fill this building to overflowing. Rija finishes sweeping the church, heads outside, and begins to sweep and mop the simple drop toilets so common in Madagascar. The smells are horrific, and the messes can be pretty bad. A church deacon approaches and asks if he can take the broom and finish the job. Rija politely refuses. “This is my job,” he says. “I do not mind.” Soon the toilets are clean and rinsed out, and Rija can put away his broom. He washes his hands and then straightens his tie. Picking up his Bible, he makes his way to the front of the church to begin to greet the early arrivers and collect his thoughts for the message he will soon deliver. Rija is not the custodian; he is the pastor. He is also the former general superintendent and one of the most powerful pastors in the Malagasy church.

I had coffee with him in his home recently, and I asked him why he takes it upon himself to clean the toilets each week, especially in a culture where respect and honor are so important. He quietly replied, “My brother, if Jesus as the Son of God could wash the disciples’ feet, I can surely clean the toilets. Someone has to do it. Why not me? I was not always like this, but the older I get, I realize the need to model servanthood to others.”

As I reflect on the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13, I am always struck by verses 3 to 5: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” The humility of Jesus is amazing. How could He be such a servant? He could serve the disciples because He knew who He was. We find that Jesus knew where He stood with the Father. He knew very well He was the Son of God. Nothing could change that. That knowledge allowed Him to take off the respected robes of authority as a teacher of the Scriptures and pick up a servant's towel. That same knowledge allowed Him to walk the hill to calvary and offer His life as a ransom for many, the ultimate act of servanthood.

LIVE DEAD CHALLENGE

The Live Dead initiative is all about dying to self. Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you realize that no one can take that away from you? Knowing that you are a son or daughter of God, are you willing to put it all down for advancing the gospel? Practice serving. Look for ways to serve with purpose. Let service become a part of your personality. Grab a broom, clean a toilet, help a stranger, lay down your priorities, and seek God’s. Live Dead is not about you. It’s about them—the lost.

UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP: SWAHILI OF PEMBA

The island of Pemba, off the coast of Tanzania, is known for its exotic spices. The Pembans export cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and other spices. The next time you reach into your kitchen cupboard to grab a spice, say a prayer for the people of Pemba. More than 300,000 indigenous Pembans are on the island; less than 0.01 percent have access to Christ.