Pastoral Messages by Matriarch Elnette Edwards
My precious family,
Jesus said that whoever wants to be great must be a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. This turns worldly values upside down. In the kingdom of God, greatness isn’t measured by how many serve you but by how many you serve. Service isn’t beneath us—it’s the path to true greatness.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. Though He was Lord of all, He took the form of a servant. He washed His disciples’ feet—a task reserved for the lowest servant. He spent His life serving others—healing, teaching, feeding, delivering, comforting. His whole life was service, culminating in the ultimate act of service—giving His life as a ransom for many.
If Jesus, who was God in flesh, served so humbly, how much more should we serve? Yet we often resist serving. We think we’ve moved beyond certain tasks, that our gifts or position excuse us from basic service, or that serving is for those “called” to it. But every believer is called to serve.
I’ve learned that service reveals character. It’s easy to lead from the front when people are watching and applauding. It’s harder to serve behind the scenes where no one notices. But it’s in the hidden places of service that true character is formed and tested. How we serve when no one’s watching reveals who we really are.
Service also keeps us humble. When we’re willing to do whatever needs doing—whether it fits our gifts or not, whether it’s prestigious or not, whether we get credit or not—we maintain the humility essential for spiritual health. Pride can’t coexist with genuine servant-heartedness.
I’ve had to serve in ways that felt beneath my training or position. Cleaning toilets at church, setting up chairs, serving in the nursery—tasks that my pride initially resisted. But God used those moments to teach me that no service done for Him is beneath me. Every act of service, no matter how small, matters when done for His glory.
Service should also be joyful. We’re not serving to earn God’s approval or impress others. We’re serving out of gratitude for what He’s done for us, out of love for His people, and out of obedience to His call. When service flows from these motivations, it becomes worship rather than obligation.
But service must be balanced. Jesus served constantly, yet He also withdrew to rest and pray. We can serve so much that we neglect our own spiritual health, our families, or our primary calling. Wise service sets boundaries, says no when necessary, and maintains sustainable rhythms.
I’ve also learned that service opens doors. When you faithfully serve wherever God places you, doors to greater responsibility naturally open. Joseph served faithfully in prison before being elevated to palace. David served faithfully tending sheep before being anointed king. Faithful service in small things leads to greater things.
Service should extend beyond church walls. We serve our families, our neighbors, our communities, our workplaces. Wherever God places us, we represent Him through service. The meal prepared, the lawn mowed for an elderly neighbour, the excellence shown at work—all can be acts of service that reflect Christ.
Some people have the spiritual gift of service—they’re particularly gifted in helping others practically. But even if that’s not your primary gift, you’re still called to serve. Service isn’t optional for believers—it’s central to following Christ.
Where is God calling you to serve? What needs has He placed before you? What can you do to make someone else’s burden lighter? Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity or the recognition you think you deserve. Just serve. Do what needs doing. Help where help is needed. In serving others, you serve Christ Himself, and that’s the highest privilege of all.
Joyfully serving,
Matriarch Elnette Edwards
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