ARE YOU ON SOMEONE’S SERVE TEAM?

In my recent posts I’ve been exploring what it means to support someone so they can make the move from good to great and achieve the maximum expression of God’s gifts in their life. So far we’ve looked at two very important ways: One, SUPPORT through prayer (May 23 ~ ARE YOU ON SOMEONE’S PRAYER TEAM); and, second, SPEAK the truth in love (May 25 ~ ARE YOU ON SOMEONE’S TRUTH TEAM?). 

In today’s post I want to look at a third way, SERVE where and when needed. While the first two ways to offer support focus on the spiritual and emotional aspects of being on someone’s team, this third way is highly practical. When we serve on another person's team, we’re going to break a sweat and get our hands dirty. We’re going to come alongside them to do whatever needs to be done so the person being supported can focus all of their energy and efforts on tasks which will bring the greatest return on their primary spiritual gifts.

Right about now you may be saying: “What about me? Where’s my support team?” I believe in the spiritual principle spoken by Jesus in Matthew 7:12 (NLT) “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” (You may know this as the Golden Rule) In the New International Version this verse begins with the phrase: “So in everything…” In applying this “rule” directly to the theme of this post if you will commit yourself to serving on someone’s team there will be others who will want to serve on your team.

No matter how high a person moves up in an organization, or the level of success they may achieve in any pursuit, I believe there remains a need to continue to seek places and people where they can serve. I am not thinking of the type of serving where they can somehow benefit, rather serving which is completely other-centered and selfless. I vaguely recall a story told by Dallas Willard where the president of a prestigious university took a week of his personal time each year and traveled to another part of the country where he could serve. He didn’t do this because he was president of a university he did it because he was a follower of Jesus. We know Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Maybe you’ve heard the axiom: The best leaders are great followers. I believe we can also say, the best leaders are great servants. These are ideas which run contrary to the self-centeredness which is so often pursued and promoted in our culture. Oh, well, as followers of Jesus we don’t take our cues from culture anyway. 

So, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to someone’s team and then begin to SUPPORT them through prayer, SPEAK the truth in love and SERVE them where and when needed. As you do don’t be surprised when you begin to see changes in the team which supports you.