The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“But whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—Matthew 20:26–28

Can we choose to be servants and slaves? Can we lay down our lives in the service of Christ for the sake of others?

We want greatness to mean we are commended and comfortable.

In the kingdom of God, it often means we’re rejected and despised.

In 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul says, “I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”

Paul endured beatings, nearly leading to death; thirty–nine lashes five times; beatings with rods three times; one stoning; three shipwrecks; being adrift at sea; danger from rivers, robbers, his own people, Gentiles, and from false brothers; much toil and hardship; sleepless nights; hunger and thirst; cold and exposure; and the daily pressure of anxiety for the churches (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).

No one could look at his life and say he was showered with praise or comfortable. Yet he is great in the kingdom of God.

We’re unlikely to live the depth of hardship Paul did, but we’re all called to be servants in the kingdom of God. 

We don’t have to grow bitter if others don’t praise us. We, like Paul, can “endure everything for the sake of the elect.” We, like Jesus, don’t have to be concerned with whether we are served by others. We can serve with joy and not expect servants of our own.

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