Recently, I asked the Dean of Students at a major seminary what one leadership attribute he most hopes to develop in students. Can you guess his answer?
Service.
He shared that service is the defining quality he wants expressed in his students’ lives. How fascinating. Then he explained what he meant: service is born in humility, and humility is generated in gratitude. This insight has lingered with me, sparking reflections on how these three qualities–service, humility, and gratitude–interconnect biblically.
At the core, if we want to cultivate service in our own lives and in the lives of those around us, we must create opportunities for humility to grow in the fertile soil of gratitude.
Sounds simple in theory, right?
But we all know it’s not easy. How hard is it to stay humble? How easy is it for us to overlook our many blessings? A/C? Heater? Vehicle that runs? Running water? Indoor plumbing? Anesthesia? Etc.
Consider just for a second the many blessings in your life that go unnoticed every day. Reflect on the times when you were treated like a servant, and you responded with offense (even if in your thoughts). When I was younger, my grandfather often said, “Boys, thank God for your health.” He was right to say that. His words challenged my tendency to take things for granted. We all face the challenge of serving authentically, and if humility and gratitude are the roots of service, the path ahead demands a biblical perspective.
So, how do we nurture gratitude?
The Bible points us to Christ as the servant par excellence.
In Matthew 20:28, he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” On the surface, this sounds quite normal for any would-be servant. This is radically different when considering what Jesus set aside to serve.
Jesus, the Creator and Son of God with eternal glory, set aside infinite power, glory, and position to serve. No one has served or sacrificed more.
We see this pattern again in John 13, where Jesus humbles Himself by washing His disciples’ feet. This was not a demonstration but an expectation of replication. In Matthew 18, He teaches Peter to forgive in the same manner he’s been forgiven, tying gratitude to forgiveness and the grace he received. In other words, gratitude is rooted in giving others the same measure of reconciliation one has received. Thus, if humility is rooted in gratitude, then gratitude grows from forgiveness.
The cross brings it all together. There, Christ gives the supreme act of service–He offers His life as humiliated, forsaken, and facing profound ingratitude.
How does this apply to us today?
- Enduring gratitude is rooted in Christ’s willingness to serve to the bitter end.
- If I am in Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers me to reflect that same gratitude through humble service, even when it’s hard and doesn’t make sense because I have been forgiven and reconciled to God.
Where do we start? Start small. This week, reflect and note one or two things you’re grateful for in the following areas:
- Yourself
- Family
- Friends
- Church
- Community
Let gratitude take root and see its impact on humility and service!
— March 27, 2025