Do you want to be the kind of person who endures over many fruitful years? My guess is the answer is an emphatic “yes”. But how do you know whether you’re making decisions in the present that result in a durable future?
One way to answer that question is to measure where other people fit into your life. Do we see others as a means towards making us more successful, or do we see the soul-forming impact of placing ourselves in their service, working towards their agenda?
Our willingness to make others a success is one measure of a resilient soul. I’m not talking about merely tolerating and accommodating the goals of another. But adopting their vision; promoting and pursuing their dream. Working for their good.
How do we know if our life or leadership orient us towards a flourishing future? Here’s three marks to consider:
Mark # 1: We Make Specific Sacrifices
Christ’s life was a series of sacrifices leading up to his penultimate sacrifice as a substitute in our place. Prior to his death, the Son of God wrapped himself in a towel, knelt before his disciples and washed their feet. But his intent was not simply to create a memorable moment. Christ wanted to leave them with a concrete example of sacrificial service for others. To follow Christ from that moment meant to repeat his example for others. “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13: 15).
At the very core of Christ’s life and death was the Savior making sacrifices to see others flourish. But the blessing tucked unexpectedly within service is that as we are poured out for others, God fills us. Our faith is fueled. We flourish in surprising ways.
Mark # 2: We Make Sacrifices for Friends
Jonathan, Saul’s son, serves as an example of one who placed others ahead of his own ambition. As the son of the king, there was a chance that he could one day inherit the throne. If he had made that his life goal, he would have sought to establish himself as the greatest military leader in Israel. But, amazingly, he took a different path.
After David killed Goliath, Jonathan made a covenant with him. He took off his robe, his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt, and he gave them all to David. This wasn’t because he and David happened to prefer the same style of robe and armor. More was going on than a mere gift of clothing. In divesting himself of his princely attire, Jonathan was setting aside his own honor and binding his future to David. Why would he do this? Scripture says, “he loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:3).
You know the story. Jonathan didn’t inherit the kingdom. In fact, he alienated himself from his father in the protection of David and eventually died on the battlefield. Poised for greatness, Jonathan chose the lesser path. By most metrics of the western world today, his life is a big failure, an also-ran. A testament of how not to become king.
The Bible doesn’t frame success the same way. Scripture celebrates Jonathan’s fidelity to his friend and future king.
Do you desire greatness? Longevity? Fruitful ministry? It takes a different form—one that includes your circle of friends.
Mark # 3: We Celebrate Sacrifices at Home
In a society obsessed with rights and equality, the traditional role of wife and mother—that of helper to the husband, invested in the family—has taken a bad rap. In the world’s eye, sacrificing dreams of income, travel, or social status in the service of others (family) seems antiquated and unenlightened. But to empty oneself in service of one’s family is an arresting illustration of the Savior’s heart and life. I should know. I see it every day in my wife.
Our culture celebrates reputation and recognition. To sluff off of royal robes in order to promote someone else is foolishness in the eyes of the world, a death knell in a flourishing career path. But as followers of Christ, we are to honor and celebrate this kind of sacrifice. People who sacrifice to love and serve others find their souls steeled for perseverance.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phillippians 2:5-7).
Greatness, said Jesus, doesn’t come from holding onto those robes but from taking them off to stoop down and serve.
If you desire a lasting, fruitful life or ministry, make sacrifices. Aim to serve. Be a Jonathan for others. Honor what happens in the home. Seek servanthood, not a kingdom.
Today’s Tenacious Question
Think about someone in your life that you have a hard time serving. Or maybe someone you are responsible to serve. What is one specific way that you could help or promote them today?
Prayer
Lord, you call us to a life of service. The culture around me tempts me to make much of myself. Help me to recognize ways that I have begun to be self-seeking; the ways I’ve been influenced by unbiblical thinking. Then lead me to follow you in the great path of servanthood. Amen.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
