Listening to the Holy Spirit:
The greatness of work is not in worldly accomplishment. Accomplishments are forgotten. The greatness of work is in service to Me and to others. Often, many will accomplish great feats, many of which serve few, and many harm. You are called to serve first, giving yourself that others may prosper. Accomplishment pleasing to Me is the secondary wake left behind from the great work of service. My people wander, and I allow them to do so, that in wandering they may find their true way. I would rather he who responds have little done (in a worldly sense), than be famous for great wealth, building only for few. Your path is great with the harvest. Along the way opportunity abounds to build for those longing for greater life. Find them in your everyday. Picture those who you will lift (in prayer) as you work. Lift those you will serve first in your heart, then with the work of your hands. As you build these, so too the legacy of your life – accomplishment known to Heaven, in those you serve today. A trophy of men that shines today is lusterless in eternity if it serves few; but with prayers toward who you serve, even the forgotten tasks are proclaimed forever.
Heb 6:10 (ESV) – For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Mark 10:45 (ESV) – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
Matthew 20:26 (ESV) – …But whoever would be great among you must be your servant
Taking It to Work:
Horst Schultze was the founding president of the Ritz-Carlton hotels. What was the highest priority for his soon-to-be top-notch hotel chain? Excellence in service! From its humble beginnings in 1983, there was not one employee, across that now international enterprise, who was not taught that quality service was first and foremost at the Ritz Carlton. It paid off. Decades later, the Ritz Carlton is still one of the highest ranked names in the hospitality business. Mr. Schulze created the operating and service standards that got them there, and now both have become world famous. Quite the accomplishment.
The scriptures today remind us that service to others needs to be of highest importance to us too. In our work we must focus on those we serve first and foremost. This is the part of our jobs that not only has eternal significance, but can do wonders for our businesses and careers as well. Don’t put personal accomplishment ahead of service to the customer, boss and fellow workers. It is in great service that our accomplishments truly depend, as His Word works in you, today.
