Despite torrential rainfall hundreds of Jamaicans and overseas guests gathered at the Waltham Park New Testament Church to send up prayers for Rev. Dr. Barrington Brown as he was consecrated as Bishop of the church. The function was for the most part meaningful except for the unnecessary length of some of the presentations. There was an attempt to preach over the sermon and all that happened was that the second sermon was longer and of a much poorer quality. The quality singing, the first sermon and the response of the Inducted Bishop made the function worthwhile attending.
The focus certainly was on servanthood but the pomp and pageantry evidenced in the setting challenged the simplicity of servanthood. Some of the Bishops arriving in a limousine with police outriders seem to me not in keeping with the calls made in the service to a life of humility.
As I left the function I wondered whether or not we give more lip service to the idea of servanthood than genuine reflective practice. The speaker expressed so eloquently and passionately the call to selflessness, impeccable character and godliness that anyone who missed it was bent on doing so. Even after that stirring sermon as I examined my life I am still not convinced that I have fully embraced the servant posture of Jesus Christ. Am I totally given over to the Master? Is His agenda mine or am I operating off my own mandate? Do I seek personal recognition for service or am I seeking God’s glory?
The only answer that I am convinced about is that I want to make myself available to serve where needs are. My desire is to make a difference in the lives of people, to the glory of God. May all those who claim we have the call of God to be servants rise up and SERVE.
2 comments:
Lately, I have been pondering the thought of leading a simple life. This posting reminded me of this current 'pondering'. 'A Simple Life' in the sense that no matter where God takes me, I remain at the 'baseline'. To live what Jesus said, 'a servant is no greater than His master', such that I allow myself to go without all the extra, unnecessary stuff. I think I can live without them, for really, though I plan to enjoy my stay here on earth I don't plan on staying here, and I can't anyway - my soul will be required of me one day. I want the Kingdom of Christ to be my first priority, and as I obey Him will He not provide for me, and bless me indeed? As christians I believe we sometimes get distracted and lose the delicate balance in enjoying the blessings of the Lord. Forgive me if I seem to have derailed...but with regards to your sentiments I share the same desire, to lead a life of humility which we understand does not equal poverty, but having the right balance...which we can only find by keeping close to Christ.
I found your comments about the pomp and pageantry associated with the arrivals of some of our Bishops very interesting. To me even though they try and really believe in the servant hood associated with being a Christian leader after suffering for some time when they get to a point where their lives have really improved and can do better the roots of where we are coming from is lost and the meaning of servant leadership is lost in the flair of "demonstrating the blessings of God".
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