Servanthood and the Search for God

I had a couple of days to really think about UCity and what an amazing opportunity we have to continue to pursue God and become a church that imitates his character through – generosity, humility, servanthood, compassion, and comfort. I am so enamored by these specific characteristics of God that were so completely displayed in Jesus.

I am afraid that our American independent mindset has corrupted the concept of true servanthood and I would like to attempt to lead us to recapture it. You see in nearly every area where we serve, we stay in control of the situation. We will serve, but only a defined amount of time, when it fits in our schedule and suffering is not an option. Remaining in control of the situation is not servanthood… and it was not the path of Jesus.

“Nobody finds anything wrong or strange with attempting to help people who are visibly lacking the basic necessities of life, and it appears quite reasonable to try to alleviate suffering when it is possible. But to leave a successful position and enter freely, consciously and intentionally into a position of servanthood seems unhealthy. It is a violation of the most basic human instincts. To try to lift others up to our own privileged position is honorable and perhaps even an expression of generosity, but to attempt to put ourselves in a position of disrepute and to become dependent and vulnerable seems to be a form of masochism that defies the best of our asperations.” -Compassion by Henri Nouwen

Not sure if it is funny or sad that I have never heard anyone describe Jesus as someone who “became vulnerable,” but that is exactly what he did. In becoming a slave he REALLY BECAME A SLAVE. He put himself into a situation where he was not in control any more, and this made him vulnerable and opened him up to real abuse… and death.

This perspective gives Jesus’ words to Peter more meaning,

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:18-19

Becoming like Jesus means putting ourselves in situations where we are not in control, where we genuinely are servants. When we do this we are coming close to a profound spiritual truth that service is an expression of the search for God not just of the desire to bring about individual or social change.