Isn’t there a fundamental difference between a slave and a servant? A slave, as opposed to a servant, is indentured, has no rights, has no choice. At the core of my understanding I thought I knew the difference. Recently it became apparent that I may muttle the definition of both.

A servant for God? Oh, sure, sounds great! A slave for God? Eerrrrtt! Hold up, I didn’t sign up for this.

As a self-professed control freak, the sound of slave makes me twitch. But Paul in Ephesians 6:5 speaks about a doulos, a slave of Christ. Doulos was a servant by choice, which we are called to be.
Meet Maria. She is a woman I met in Mexico who is truly a servant. From the moment I met her, she smiled a wordless greeting and motioned with her head that we were welcomed, then continued to complete her business. She’s free to come and go but she chooses to serve. She chooses to remain. She chooses to complete the task set before her. Yes, this is her job. But her humble servanthood and volitionary choice to serve is a testament to her loyalty.
Maria never once complained about her job; in fact, she valued and appreciated what she did. Which illustrated Mark 10:43-45 in real-time, …whoever wants to be great among you must be a servant, and who ever wants to be first must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many.
How can you serve today? Are you serving with your whole heart? Can we be a doulos to all we encounter? Be like Jesus: serve.

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