"Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, 'What were you arguing about
on the way?' But they were silent, because on the way
they had been arguing with one another about who
was the greatest.  Sitting down, He called the Twelve
and said to them, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must
be last of all and servant of all.'  Then He took a child,
had him stand among them, and taking him in His
arms, He said to them, 'Whoever welcomes one little
child such as this in My name welcomes Me.  And
whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but
Him who sent Me.'"
-Mark 9:33-37 (HCSB)

Our family plays a great game at the dinner table called "Would you rather. . .?" We ask the question "Would you rather. . .?" so that our children have to make a decision, such as "Would you rather win a World Series or a Super Bowl?" Last night, I decided to ask my three kids the following question: "Would you rather be a great leader or a great servant?" I barely had time to finish the question before my 10 year-old, Abigail, said, "Dad, they're the same thing. If you serve someone, you are showing and teaching someone what Jesus would do!"

Wow! After picking myself up off the ground, I realized that she nailed it. Abigail understands that a great servant is always a great leader, but a great leader is not necessarily a great servant. Maybe a great servant is not defined as being a great leader in the world's eyes, but they are always seen as such in God's eyes.

In the arena of competition, whether playing or coaching, we need to understand what it means to be a great servant. Being a great servant in the athletic world does not mean serving to become a great leader, but rather it means sacrificing and dying to self.  I don't know about you, but for me that is hard.  It means putting the interests of my teammates first--on and off the field. My attitude should be like Christ's by placing their needs before mine. It is a daily battle, but as competitors we need to realize that the battle rages every day--the battle to lead or to serve. So, if I had asked you instead of my 10 year-old, "Would you rather be a great leader or great servant?" what would have been your answer?

Why do people today elevate leaders so much? Can the same be said of servants?  Why or why not?

Name one of the greatest modern-day servants. Name a servant in the world of sports. What makes them special?

What is one way that you can put the needs of your teammates before your own?

Scripture
Matthew 20:23-28
Matthew 23:11-12
Philippians 2:1-11

"Lord, I admit that I put my interests before others. Help me to get my eyes off myself and onto others. Show me practical ways to serve my teammates. Teach me what it means to serve freely. I would rather be a great servant for You, Jesus."

(This comes from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes daily pep talk)

In Jesus' name, Amen.