Key Bible Verse: "Among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43). Bonus Reading:Mark 10:35–45

Throughout life I've wanted to be where the action was. In football it was catching passes; in high school it was driving fast cars; in the Marine Corps it was carrying machine guns on the front lines. When I passed the bar exam, I wanted to become a trial lawyer because that's where the action is in a law firm. So when I came to Christ, I first thought the "action" was in being up front, making speeches, and becoming an expert theologian.

But as I watched the doctor who discipled me serve both his "Timothys" and his patients, I began to understand the concept that Jesus has called us to serve, not to star. This means that even in leadership roles, we'll be servants of others, putting their needs ahead of ours.

Meeting with this godly obstetrician month after month, I heard about his late-night trips to the hospital or working 20-hour days while serving in moments of great need. Along the way he shared how he led a couple to Christ. Frankly, I was embarrassed, even ashamed, that I was such a lousy servant.