Daily Devotion: 11 Days til Guatemala

May 23 - Serving Those That Lead

Matthew 20: 26-28 "...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

On your short term mission trip, you might find yourself relating to a variety of Christian leaders: your team leader, national pastors, elders in the village, our ministry representatives and long term missionaries. They are actually perfect instruments God has fashioned for this time and place.

Leaders on the mission field have qualities that help to open your heart to them and others. On the other hand, they sometimes make decisions that you might question.

This trip will not be the opportune time to point out their shortcomings, how they might do things differently, how you would run the ministry programs or the national church if you were in charge. Some decisions that leaders make on the mission may sound silly to you and there is no doubt that you will see things you think you would do differently if you were them. Short term teams often fall prey to this and speak their opinions pridefully in the intensity of the mission experience. It is one thing to offer a helpful, constructive idea directly to me; it is another to have an attitude of superiority or to make suggestions to national leadership when you do not have personal long term relationships with them.

As a team member, you should work to serve your leaders and fellow team members with humility and embrace what the Lord wants to do in your life through them. Some of you might think of yourself as God's gift to your team instead of realizing that they are God's gift to you.

The heart of a servant will always add strength to a leader and a team and if you will make it your goal to do so, God will bless and honor you. He loves the attitude of a faithful servant. You can bless your team in many practical ways. See a need? Take initiative. Offer help. Look for how you can help get supplies and equipment ready or loaded before an outreach. Be ready to go each day on time. Respond and follow directions quickly and eagerly so that your leaders may lead and care for you with joy.

A servant's heart is a mark of maturity that is not dependent on a person's actual age. It took me a while to learn that. I have seen adult teams who were full of bad attitudes towards their leaders and groups of teenagers who looked for every opportunity to take initiative and strengthen their leaders. It is a choice you have to make and choosing a good attitude is one well worth making.

You should know that the leaders you will spend time with in Guatemala have your best interest at heart. From me to the national leaders you will meet and work with, we care about you, have been praying for you since you first committed to this trip, are working to make sure you stay well and safe and are working harder than you know to make sure your trip goes well. As you continue to prepare, please take time to pray for us, as well.

Terry Carr Bracey
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Across All Borders