01 Apr Serve God, Serve People – Apr 11

By: Grace Susatyo

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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 made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue con­fess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11 ESV)

Each semester group of students begin their lives at University. They all come with the expectation that in the next three years of their lives, they will walk proudly across the graduation stage to receive testamur that represents the completion of a degree. Everyone hopes that the degree earned represents the experience that is designed to prepare students for life beyond the University years.

Whilst at the University levels, students are trying so hard to excel in their commitment to their academic life. But there has been a deficiency in students’ commitment to servanthood.

What does servanthood mean for University students?

1. Serving God – Make it your first priority to obey and honour Christ in whatever you do as student.

Reject all the alluring thoughts when your friends are saying “It’s okay to cheat at the exam”, “It’s okay to sleep with your boy/girlfriend”, etc. You have to stand for what is right, even at risk of losing your friends. Serve God by using your time wisely, don’t waste your youth for something that does not add any value to your life. Most importantly, don’t forget to meditate on God’s words every day, as staying rooted in the Word will help you remain strong in your faith. When you are faced with a moral dilemma, knowing the Word will help you to make godly decisions.

2. Serving People – Love others as you love yourself and be genuine.

As students, you can help teaching your classmates when they are having problems with the subject, or asking them to have lunch with you if you see them sitting alone. Giving your friend time to talk and be listened to or even just sit­ting with them in the class are simple things you can do for others. Serving people is one of the most effective ways to lead them to the Lord.

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.