“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption”. Acts 13:36 (KJV)
The call to the Christian faith is a call to serve God and humanity. The commandments are geared towards loving God with all the heart, with all the soul and with all the mind and loving one’s neigbour. Love for God and one’s neighbor demands service. There is inherent desire in man to be served but the servant leadership of godly leaders set example for believers to follow. In a world where most people seek for every one to serve them, it takes a godly heart to be the one giving service to others instead of seeking to be served by others. David lived a life of service; he served his father Jesse by taking care of the flocks. He was so dedicated to shepherding the flocks that he risked his life to save the flocks from the lion and bear that threaten to devour them on different occasion.
David served King Soul, playing music for him when he was sick. When David came to the field to serve his brothers, he heard Goliath threatening Israel and blaspheming the God of Israel. David accepted the challenge to dare the giant as service to God and his people. He risked his life to deliver Israel from the threat of Goliath the Philistine.
As king, rather than sit on the throne to be served, David continued as a servant leader. He thought more of others than himself. David emptied his life in the service to God and humanity. He was indeed “a man after God’s heart”.
David was a typology of Christ in the Old Testament. Like David, Jesus lived a life of service to God and to humanity. The scripture admonished that we be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. That we do nothing through vain glory but in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better that ourselves.
Jesus showed a good leadership example by washing his disciple’s feet as opposed to the worldly mindset of leadership as lording it over the subjects. The world sees leadership as asserting authority and sitting on the throne to demand service from the led. Jesus introduced the paradigm shift by exemplifying leadership as service delivery. He served his generation unto death. He laid down his life for man; leaving us an example to follow his footstep (John 13:12-16).
To serve one’s generation, one must embrace humility, meekness and love. A call to ministry is a call to service and not ego trip.
PRAYER: Lord grant me the true heart of service.
Rev. Vincent Diolu