“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (NLT)
We live in an age that is being dominated by self-discovery. More than ever, people are wrestling with questions like Who am I? and What am I meant to do? From social media to Artificial Intelligence, people are searching desperately for answers. Have you noticed how strongly people define themselves by what they stand against? How our identity is increasingly tied to political views, ancestry, nationality, or cultural heritage? Many are walking away from organized religion or past philosophies, searching for belonging elsewhere. This search is shaping history: it fuels both isolation and the desperate need to belong.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This truth is at the heart of our new sermon series, Following the Servant Leader, led by our inspiring pastor, Mark Nsimbi.
A Surprising Truth About You
Whether you believe in God or not, you may already be living as a servant leader. What drives you in life? When times get tough, what gives you the strength to keep going? For many, it’s their children, grandchildren, loved ones, or even their work team. Perhaps it’s the simple joy of helping someone in real need.
Last week, I had an appointment with one of the best cardiologists in the world, Dr. Paul Huong. He’s not just a brilliant doctor; he’s a devoted husband, a father, and an incredible violinist. But what truly defines him is how he serves others with disciplined excellence. On the day of my appointment, I faced unexpected challenges:
• I barely slept the night before.
• I hit a rare traffic jam on I-5. (ha ha 😊)
• I parked far away to save money.
• I got stuck in not one, but two elevators.
• I climbed countless stairs due to my impaired legs.
• I wandered through multiple floors as a work around for broken elevators and my personal confusion in finding the right office.
By the time I arrived, I was exhausted. But after my appointment, something astonishing happened. Dr. Huong told his staff he’d be a minute. Then, to my shock, he grabbed a wheelchair and insisted on pushing me all the way back to my car. Here was a world-class cardiologist, a man who had led Swedish Hospital’s cardiology department for years, humbly serving a tired old pastor. People looked in amazement. But that’s what servant leaders do—they don’t just demand respect; they earn it by respecting others.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
The Gospel of Mark is a book filled with over 100 questions—meant to be read aloud, meant to challenge us into action. It is the first gospel ever written, penned by a teenage follower of Jesus named John Mark, and it reveals Jesus not as a ruler demanding service but as the ultimate Servant Leader.
Join us this week as the dynamic Pastor Linda Skinner launches this life-changing series on astonishing servant leadership.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White