I've been thinking about what I will do in the future a lot lately. I have committed to a second year here at ABC, but am looking for what I will do after that. Perhaps still in Africa. Teaching, I've realized, is not very self gratifying. There is always something I could have done better, and always something I still need to do. I have thought about working with street kids. I know they need help, but am still not quite sure how. I’ve thought about creating my own ministries to start something new.
So, I was listening to my Kids Music playlist on Itunes the other day to find a song to teach my students, and a Doughnut Man song came on. Gotta love good ol' Doughnut Man:-) His song "I Wanna Be Great" came on and it struck me.
I wanna be great,
I wanna be super, absolutely wonderfully great!
James and John were hangin’ around, fightin’ over who was the best, but Jesus said you want a crown on your head? Well this will be the test, listen carefully: ‘if you want to be made great by the Lord well then you've got to be the servant of all!’
This is what I've been missing. I've been trying to think of what I can start or do that is new and that they don't have in Africa that is needed. Jesus says, just be a servant. Sometimes those aren't the jobs that are in the spotlight or make you feel good, but they have to do with your love. Tim Keller said:
“It ain’t ministry unless it is being dictated to you by someone else.”
When it comes to my future, I can do all I want to make a "difference" in Africa, but it’s not right if we’re doing it on our own terms. Only when you do it as a servant, is it pleasing to God. I cannot be a disciple of God if I don't execute what God wants me to do.
This song has been stuck in my head all day long so I finally decided to write it on my blog.
The greatest among you will be your servant, For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12
I love how the Doughnut Man is still so relevant! :-) And you know, "Life without God's love is like a doughnut..."
ReplyDeleteWow, the song that popped into my head before I even read your song was Psalty's "If you wanna be great, in God's kingdom, learn to be a servant, learn to be a servant, learn to be a servant of all. All? All!" (Was that before your time?!) Now it's going to be seriously stuck in my head today, what a great thing.
ReplyDeleteYou're a great writer, by the way!!!
This really helped me this morning . . . thanks for posting! Love, Amanda Carlson
just catchin up on your blog and reading about the grand adventures we had when you were here. man, i am SO blessed to have been in Africa (zambia, botswana, zimbabwe) with you...one of the highlights of all the time we've been friends for sure. I just love you so much Jungle. Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon on what Vicki promises to be a low budget vacation to Malawi.Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI probably could never ever ...ever explain to you how humbled i am by your heart and what God is doing in your life. i love you so much!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've caught up on your blog! This was very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteLove you.