Tearfund Lent Devotional Day 34

Glorious

'Those who are in top leadership positions rule oppressively[...], over their subjects, but this is not the example you are to follow...If you want to be the greatest, then live as one called to serve others.' (Mark 10:42-43, TPT)

What does it mean to be glorious? What does it mean to be great, to be accomplished, to lead?

The world has answers to these questions. But they are not God’s answers.

The kingdom of God is subversive. It flips ideas and tables on their backs.

Christ taught us how we should lead, and embodied in his life and death what it means to be glorious.

There is a kind of glory that glories not in the self, but quietly and steadfastly follows a higher call. There is a kind of glorious that does not preen, boast or call attention to itself, but is dignified, modest and dutiful.

Faith. Service. Grace. Constancy. Charity. Wisdom. Sacrifice. These are virtues that are not now fashionable, yet are nonetheless desperately needed. Let us open ourselves to them. Let us all ‘live as one called to serve others’. Because that is what we are.

Lord Jesus, create in me a servant heart. Give me the courage, conviction and wisdom to follow your example in my life. Help me to serve others, always. Amen.

Gideon Heugh

Gideon writes for Tearfund and is a poet and environmentalist