To develop a servant’s heart, you must begin by being in right alignment with God. Recognizing who you are in relationship to who He is exposes any pride that you may have, and yet at the same time, the more you recognize who you are in relationship to Him, the more you embrace humility. Embracing humility is a daily practice, not a one time event. By doing so, you’ll keep your heart in alignment with the Holy Spirit. Staying humble before God shapes your heart to care for others selflessly. A heart aligned with God reflects His love and prepares you to serve others selflessly.
It is important to note that serving others does not hope for recognition. The Father sees what you are doing, and He takes notice. When you view servanthood as a way of living, an expression of worship to God, you do so willingly with joy because it is a reflection of your relationship with God. When you serve others, recognizing your act of service as an expression of worship, it’s like giving God a hug. Your service becomes a gift to the Father, honoring Him through every act of love. Serving others shows the Father’s care through your actions.
The Goal is Not to Serve Into Something Else
If you are serving to serve your way “up the ladder”, you misunderstand the concept of servanthood. The goal of the servant is to serve, and that’s the heart of it. One serves as an expression of worship to the Lord. He serves to express the love of God in a practical way, and in so doing, he honors the Lord. Servanthood is other-centered, not self-centered. True servanthood flows from a heart that seeks only to honor God and bless others. Every act of service spreads love that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
The Servant’s Thinking Determines His Behavior
Developing an ‘other-centered mindset’ is key here. The more time you invest in searching for opportunities to serve others, the more natural serving others will become. It will become second nature because your behavior follows your thinking. In as much as this is true of people like Charles Manson, it is equally true of those who serve like Mother Teresa. Both Charles Manson and Mother Teresa carried out what they allowed their mind to ponder, and so it is with you. You become what you think about. Focus your thoughts on serving others, and your heart will grow to reflect the Father’s selfless love. Thinking about helping others daily trains your heart to live with kindness.
It’s the Little Things that Make a Difference
Serving in small ways can make a difference in someone’s day. Every small act of service, done with love, reflects God’s heart and brings joy to those you serve. Whether you hold the door for someone at the store, let another driver merge in traffic, or offer your umbrella in the rain, these moments show God’s love in practical ways. Even parking farther away or cleaning up after others when it’s not your job can plant seeds of kindness that the Father uses to touch hearts. Small acts of care, done with love, create a ripple effect that changes lives.
Why would you do these things? For the express purpose of expressing God’s love in a practical way. If they don’t notice, that’s OK. The point is not to serve so they will notice. Remember, you are serving God, and He notices. Serving with a joyful heart fills you with a sense of purpose and peace.
Closing Thoughts
Developing a servant’s heart starts with aligning your heart with the Father’s love through daily humility. Serve others not for recognition, but to honor God, letting your words and actions reflect His grace and truth every day. Start serving now, and let your heart show God’s love to those who need it most.