Symphony or Solo

SERVANTHOOD: SYMPHONY OR SOLO?

A symphony brings together many musicians from diverse backgrounds who must work together to produce music that is faithful to the composer. Each individual in the symphony must play his instrument according to the way the music is written and be under direction of the conductor. Symphony participants are part of the whole. They perform to please the conductor while remaining faithful to the way the music was written.

A solo, on the other hand, is an individual performer. This person may sing in a manner distinctive and without any outside direction. They may sing to please themselves, in a manner they choose.

I have been meditating on a fresh aspect of the Advent Season. The first advent I mean. When the One who is the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Eternal Son, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.. became flesh and dwelled among us. The morally perfect Jesus, who is prophet, priest and king. Savior, Lord, Redeemer. God’s Servant, the Branch. And much more!

Let’s focus on “God’s Servant”.

How did this perfect man live? What does He expect of us?

Was He more like part of a symphony or did He do a solo performance?

Philippians chapter two gives some aspects of how Jesus became a servant.

Philippians 2:3-8 NLT says “Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; [He laid aside his mighty power and glory.] He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Greek: and was born in the likeness of men and was found in appearance as a man.” And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.”

What did Jesus say of Himself? Three times in John’s Gospel Jesus said He did only the will of the Father. John 5:30 NKJV states: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

Look here at the main points of “servant”.

• Live unselfish life
• Don’t try and “impress” others
• Be humble
• Think of others as better than self
• Think about others’ affairs, show genuine interest in their lives
• Don’t demand your rights. Surrender them to God.
• Live as a “slave”
• Obey God. Seek His will. Do ONLY His will.

What does Jesus expect of His followers? Matthew 16:24-25 says: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

I think we can conclude that this life style is more like being part of a symphony than doing a solo. :) Have this attitude… humility... What does this look like?

We all live in families or must interact with others in the workplace or school. There are many things in life that are NOT fun or do not give us personal satisfaction. There are times when others really need our help. Here is what a servant looks like.

1. When someone needs your help, ask them HOW they want you to help. Do the job to please THEM. Not to just get it done or to do it “YOUR WAY”. You may need to learn “flexibility”.
2. Volunteer to do the job NO ONE else wants to do. Do the job that gains no public praise. The unseen job. Seen and rewarded only by God.
3. Respond in love. Overlook sins. Bless and not curse. Never revile another person. Forgive fully, as you wish Christ to forgive you! Let it go.
4. Remember, it is the LORD God you serve He will reward you.

This Holiday season, let’s all try and follow this advice from Colossians 3:23-24 NASB:

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Join the symphony of the heavenly host of angels in declaring the Glory of God in the highest and proclaiming the Prince of Peace as man’s supreme good.