Quest 42 - The Fight Against Insecurity
“In the Bible, humility is not how you feel about yourself but how you treat others.”
Out of all the weeks that we have spent in Quest so far, this one might be my favorite. There is a weight that is present throughout the scripture, the essay, and the questions. Maybe I feel that weight because like Mark - I can project confidence because of private insecurities - If I had to guess, you are that way too.
Many of us struggle with how people view us and the place that we occupy in the worlds that we live in. We want to be recognized, we want to be put in a position of power, we want to get the glory. The thought is that if I get in that position - FINALLY I will be validated. We all know it doesn’t work like that. No matter where you end up - there is still that gnawing insecure feeling at your soul.
Confidence doesn’t come from position, confidence comes from purpose.
Our purpose is simple: Serve.
Serve God, serve people, serve your coworker, serve your neighbor, serve your teammate, serve the people you love, serve the people you hate.
Why is that our purpose? Because out of everything else that we could do in this world, that is the most impactful thing that we could do. The example has been set by Jesus in the story that we read today.
Here are three ways Jesus served that you can serve others as well:
1. Jesus served with love.
John 13:1, “ Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.”
Jesus loved people. It didn’t matter if it was the person with leprosy or a child or the person that betrayed him. He was going to serve that person because he loved that person. It’s easy to go through life without a lot of love for people especially when things get hard or when you have been with them for a long time. Yet - Jesus made a decision that he was going to love them through the entire time of knowing them. There are people in your life that you have not made a decision to love. They just sit there existing on the peripherals of your life. You know them, but you don’t notice them. Change that today.
2. Jesus served with actions.
John 13:3-5, “3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
Feet are gross. Yet, Jesus did the job of the lowliest servant and washed them. If you haven't - go read Mark's insight on what that really meant as it was fascinating. Regarding how you can do this…. Think about the worst job that your co-worker has to do or the worst job around the house that has to be done each week and then go and do that for the people in your life. There is something so powerful about being willing to do the worst of the worst. In fact, I believe it shows that you are the best of the best.
3. Jesus served with a heart of sacrifice.
John 3:14-15, “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
Needless to say, if you know the story of Jesus, you know that he was willing to sacrifice everything for us to experience a better life. The people that are in your life need you to do the same thing. They need you to step up and serve so that they can experience the love of Christ. Are you willing to do that like Jesus did for you?
If you are willing to do these three things, I believe that you will lead from a place of security rather than insecurity.
Reminder of Mark’s words at the end of this chapter, “As I apply this lesson to my own life and my own struggle with humility, I realize that my quest for position and power is usually due not to arrogance but to insecurity. Only those confident in their relationship with God can fully embrace humble service. For many of us, humility is threatening to our fragile self-esteem. The solution is to fully embrace the love of God through Jesus Christ. When we grasp whose we are, we know who we are. Then we can serve others without worry about our status.
Let’s go and be humble this week.