Toward the end of his life, it is said that, Albert Einstein removed the portraits of two renowned scientists – Isaac Newton and James Maxwell – from his wall and replaced them with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer. Einstein explained that it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service. He is also believed to have said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” He encouraged others to live in service to others, in service to their spouses, their children, their community and to the world.
Anyone that is remembered in the annals of history had one common thread that epitomized them and that is “service”. They served God and they served people. Jesus Christ, the God of the universe, is the perfect role model (example) of a life that was lived for others; in service to God and to man. He Himself expressed that He had not come to be served but to serve. No one really gets remembered for their success stories, but still we strive hard and harder to get a name for ourselves and be successful. It is time that we replace the image(s) of what we deem as success with an image of Jesus Christ, that we can gaze on, all the days of our lives and emulate His attitude of servitude. Only then will the life that we have lived be worthwhile.
I desire that the epitaph on my tombstone reads “Here lies a servant [of God and man]!“. What is your desire?
Matthew 20:26-28 (KJV)
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered (served) unto, but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many.
John 13:13-15 (KJV)
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
