Serve

Pastor of Youth and Young Adults, Karl Helvig

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Servant.

I'm not sure that's a term that people eagerly take upon themselves. In the first century (when James was writing to this scattering of churches) it could be a profoundly degrading categorization. If you were a servant (slave is probably a better translation), then you were simply an item on an inventory. You were a possession, you belonged to the master of the house.

You would be listed along with the cattle and sheep and pots and furniture.

Slaves were not people, they were property.

So, why does James take that names for himself?

James was a leader in the early church. He was one of the chief leaders in the church in Jerusalem (which, if you hadn't heard, is a rather significant city for Jews and Christians). James was a person whose opinion was sought after and whose decisions mattered.

But James, a pillar of the church, willingly identified himself as a servant, a slave.

Here is the thing about slaves, their job is simple. It can all be boiled down to just one thing: do the masters will. If you are a slave, there shouldn't be much confusion about your role. Your role is to do what the master tells you to do.

James tells us that his desire is to only do the will of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does that sit with you? Are we willing to see ourselves as servants, even slaves, of our good and gracious God?

Are we willing to only do the things that God desires for us to do?

First century masters could be harsh at times, the term slave is a loaded term and can bring up all sorts of negative connotations. But, Christ is the most gracious and benevolent Lord this world has ever seen. Doing his will, while it may be challenging at times, it ultimately a good, even joyful endeavor. It is always a blessing to be a servant of Christ.

So, what is the will of God for you today? Will you listen for his voice? Will you follow his leading? When you do, you might find easy paths or difficult paths to walk, but they will always be good paths. They will always be paths worth walking; paths you look back and find yourself blessed for having traveled them.