“How do you advise me to answer this people?” That was young Rehoboam’s question of the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive. Now Rehoboam was the new king and his subjects had made a request. “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you” (1 Kings 12:4-5). Rehoboam wisely asked for three days to consider and take counsel, starting with the old men. “How do you advise me to answer this people?” Notice the first few words of their counsel:
“If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them…” (12:7)
I’m not Rehoboam and your circumstances are certainly different, but that’s a phrase–and especially a mindset–worth chewing on throughout the day.
Preacher, if you will be a servant…
Shepherd, if you will be a servant…
Teacher, if you will be a servant…
Student, if you will be a servant…
Spouse, if you will be a servant…
Disciple, if you will be a servant…
…who knows the impact you can have for the good of the people around you and the glory of God?
On the flip side, if you insist on putting yourself before others, if you expect to be served, if you feel right at home with intimidation and bullying as a means of flexing your short-sighted sense of self-importance, if you’re most concerned with your agenda, your story, your preferences, your opinions, your comfort zones, your way, whatever the cost…
…reading 1 Kings 12 today would be a great reality check as to the impact you very well may have to the detriment of the people around you and the dishonoring of God.
“If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them…”
…one thing is certain: you’ll be following in the footsteps of Jesus, and there’s no better place to be.