Servant First

Key Verse: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” – James 1:1 (NIV)

If you were writing a letter to thousands of people, how would you introduce yourself? Well, i know exactly how i will do it. I would reach for my most impressive credentials: “CEO of XYZ,” “Doctor,” “Reverend,” “Pastor,” or “Founder of…” But not James. This man, who was not only the leader of the church in Jerusalem but also the half-brother of Jesus, opens his letter with one simple description: a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

That’s deeply humbling, isn’t it? James could have flexed his spiritual résumé, but instead, he chose to identify himself by who he served, not by what he had achieved. In a world that often equates identity with title, James reorients us to kingdom values. True greatness in God’s eyes doesn’t come from how high you climb, but from how low you are willing to stoop to serve.

So here’s the question for you today: how do you see yourself? Are you chasing affirmation through status, applause, or platforms? Or are you anchored in the quiet, often unseen work of a servant? James reminds us that our highest honor is not to be admired, but to be available-for God’s use, for others’ benefit, and for Christ’s glory.

Maybe you’re a mom changing diapers, a student juggling exams, or someone faithfully showing up at a 9-to-5 job that feels unnoticed. Take heart. In the eyes of the King, every act of service-done in His name-is full of purpose and weight. Servants may not make headlines, but they make heaven proud.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to find my identity not in titles or achievements but in serving you wholeheartedly. Like James, teach me to begin every day and every task with the mindset of a servant-available, obedient, and faithful. Strip away my pride, and fill me with the humility of Christ. Amen.