Pat Riley (NBA coach) wrote about the “danger of me.” He said, “The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they’re part of the team is to sacrifice. It’s so easy to become selfish in a team environment. To play for me. It’s very vulnerable to drop your guard and say, ‘This is who I am and I’m gonna open up and give of myself to you.’ But that exactly what you’ve got to do. Willingness to sacrifice is the great paradox. You must give up something in the immediate present – comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards – to attract something even better in the future.” (Riley, The Winner Within, 53)
What’s true of basketball is true in all of life. Serving others can be very tough; expending your energies and resources in the interest of others can be exhausting. But that is exactly what God wants from each of us. Nobody shows this to us better than Jesus. When he was alone with his disciples he did the unthinkable. He washed the disciple’s feet (something that only the lowest slaves would do). The Master became the servant. The one who deserved to be served gave of himself and served.
Jesus could do this because he knew what his purpose was. He knew what God’s will for his life was. When he finished washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus told them, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). They were to be full-time servers of men and women. They were to be servants.
Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you desire to be his disciples? Make a commitment to do as he did and expend your energies in service to others.
