Have you noticed… when Paul opens up with his introduction to the Philippians in the very first few verses of the chapter…
Where does he put importance?
From servant to servant, I am Paul, and with me is Timothy, who like you, we serve Christ Jesus. And also to those who serve you: pastors and deacons.
(Philippians 1:1,2 – own, absolutely non-academic translation)
For the longest time, I thought it is just sentence structure, but it really isn’t. It is the true and correct state of the church. Those in positions of “leadership” are actually positions of servanthood. Of support. Of lifting up and building up.
I quite like the idea that was floated that the Greek word for “deacon” (Diakonois) was based on the idea of “one that kicks up dust” – a servant that moves so fast during the completion of their tasks that they kick up dust as they go!
(It unfortunately isn’t, just a misunderstanding in translation like a “pap band” in Afrikaans is a “flat tire” not a “porridge wheel”)
But I can quite see why… in the older understanding of the church concept, this translation made perfect sense. Think about it for a minute… every role in the church and every spiritual gift is a service gift. Healer? Teacher, pastor, even prophet who “… speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort…” (1 Corinthians 14:3)
I know the translation is flawed but I quite like the picture.
Jesus rebuilt the relationship between God and me. Now it’s my job to lead people to find their way to Jesus. To worship the Father and not something else. Not the job, the paycheck, the image or popularity. Not the “clicks & views”…
… and, like my mom, can I today do my part with such intense urgency that I kick up dust as I go!
