Mother’s day is just around the corner, and as I was pondering mothers and all they do, I started thinking about how they are a wonderful example of selflessness.

One thing that stands out to me, is the hearts of service that mothers have. They are the very example of servants.

Do you remember those long nights in your childhood when you were sick and your mom stayed up with you, just to make sure you were ok? Or the times when she would give up something she needed in order to make sure you had what you needed? I mean they truly have hearts of sacrifice.

I can’t begin to count the times in my life I have witnessed my mother’s heart of service. It makes me desire to have that same type of heart.

What is a heart of service though? What does it mean to be a servant? I think that the best example can be found in Philippians 2.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of having a heart of service. He was, and still is, the God of the universe—perfect, holy, omnipotent. Yet he came to earth in the form of a man, and his earthly ministry was centered on service to others.

He was The King! He deserved to have been treated with the highest respect and adoration. He should have had servants waiting on him, hand and foot. The picture we see in the Bible though, is that He was the servant waiting on others.

He didn’t demand the treatment that was rightfully his. He cared more about the needs of others, than he did his own needs. In fact, he even washed his disciples’ feet!

The greatest heart of service ever found, is the heart of our Lord and King. His example is given to us in the Word of God, and we are admonished to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ”.

We need to have the same heart of service that our Lord has. It should be stamped into our minds and hearts. Being a servant should be as natural to us as breathing. We shouldn’t even have to think about it.

All around us there are opportunities to be servants. How badly are we looking though? Do we see the opportunities when they are right before our eyes or are we blind to them?

I don’t know about all of you, but I want to have a heart of service and sacrifice. So often I don’t have the mind of Christ stamped over mine. I fail to put “on Jesus Christ”, and I don’t take opportunities to be a servant.

This week, as we celebrate Mother’s day and contemplate the selflessness with which they serve, let’s consider the greatest example of a heart of service– our Lord Jesus Christ, and strive to be like Him.

What are your thoughts on having a heart of service and sacrifice? Let me know in the comments!

A. M. Watson

Hebrews 13:8