Psalm 84:10 – Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (NIV)

We don't have a custodian on duty at our church on Sunday mornings. This means that I make the coffee, because I'm one of the first to arrive at the church. I also get to sweep up the leaves at the front door, which usually collect or blow in between Sunday school and worship. Some church members and I usually have a pleasant laugh together when they catch me sweeping the leaves. Yesterday, they were asking me if I had been promoted! It is all in good fun and enhances the friendship and fellowship at the church.

I love today's verse from the Psalms because it reminds all of us that the position of humility in God's service is far more precious than fame or fortune. Whatever we do for the church, we do so because we love God and we want to minister to others, so that they will be attracted into serving God, too.

As we draw near to Christmas, we are all humbled and touched by the simplicity of Christ's entrance into the world. He didn't come to earth surrounded by thousands of angels and glorified by rulers from all over the world. He wasn't born into a family esteemed by riches and made prosperous by power. His first abode was a wooden shack, usually reserved for animals. His life was endangered almost immediately by King Herod, and His family became refugees for a while. Rather than being recognized as the King of kings and Lord of lords, He was just a mere baby, unprotected and vulnerable, with no power or authority.

That's why serving the Lord at church should never be something that we undertake in order to fulfill our ambitions or build up our esteem. We serve the Lord because we are His servants. He calls and expects us to do His will. He wants us to fulfill His ministries and missions, as opposed to our own dreams and desires.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we proclaim You as our King. Help us to recognize and accept that we serve You, so that You will be honoured and glorified. Give each of us the heart of a humble servant and encourage us to attract others to serve You faithfully, too. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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