Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:42-45  

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When I open the back door of my Ram 1500 pick-up truck, my black lab rescue mutt jumps in immediately. Duke sits in the back, sporting his doggy grin. He has no idea where we’re going. We could be driving to a park or the veterinarian. Even though I tell him, he doesn’t comprehend. He simply knows that he can trust me. He would rather be with me traveling into the unknown than at home without me. This is a word picture of how I should trust God. God begins with servant leadership and builds a relationship with me, before asking me to obey. 

I am the superior being to Duke, but I demonstrate servant leadership to him.  I feed, provide water, pet, brush, vaccinate, and exercise him. I set limitations to protect him from harm with a fence and leash. Duke sits when I tell him “sit” and comes when I tell him “come.” This mixed breed from the shelter responds to me out of respect and love. I have developed a relationship with him as his caregiver so he wants to please me, “Good dog!”

He is not always obedient, though. Before a walk I will tell him, “We are not having squirrel for dinner.” He still lunges as one scurries past. It’s not always easy for us to obey God because our human nature compels us, but the benefit of obedience outweighs the struggle.

Clearly the gap from my intelligence to my dog’s cognition is insignificant compared to the infinite jump between me and God, but God is using this word picture to help me see I am a rescued puppy in God’s family. I want to leap through every door God opens with no fear of the unknown, trusting Him completely. God is gentle and patient when I don’t understand where he is taking me. His ways are so much higher than my ways, of course, I don’t comprehend it all with my limited mind. I trust His fences and restrictions are born of protecting love. He first loved me. I desire to love Him in return and to follow Jesus’ example in becoming a servant leader. I long to please the heart of God so when I get to see Him face-to-face, I hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

Next Steps

Let God’s love wash over you. No work, no journaling, no introspective questioning. Sit quietly. Let God’s love surround you. You can only move into a phase of sincere servanthood when you are spilling over with the love of God. Let God’s love wash over you first.