Serving God by Serving a Man: The Trust Factor
The phrase "serve the man of God" might make some people cringe—like when your team strikes out with the bases loaded in the 9th inning. It’s that same “ugh” feeling of understanding you are not in control. Truthfully—authority has been misused enough that trusting it can feel unwise. But serving God by serving a person isn’t about blind obedience or being someone’s doormat. It’s about trust—trusting God, trusting in others, and trusting in the process of growing and maturing.
I want to start by looking at the typical human reaction to authority: “Nobody tells me what to do!” Only to be reminded later, oh wait, God does. And He often works through other people—even the ones who test your patience.
Yielding: A Lost Art in a Culture of Resistance
We live in a world that idolizes defiance. Question everything, resist authority, go your own way—it’s the cultural norm of our time, but heaven’s culture is different. It values yielding and surrendering, not as weakness, but as trust in God’s design. Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” The King of Kings didn’t demand applause; He humbled Himself to wash feet.
Trusting God means trusting the people He places in your life. That could be a pastor, a mentor, or even that person you find a little too difficult to deal with (you know the one).
Think about Elisha serving Elijah. Elisha wasn’t just hanging around for miracles; he faithfully served Elijah. In 2 Kings 3:11, Elisha is described as the one “who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” That’s not an exciting role, but it positioned him for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Serving God by serving a man is about proximity—not to power, but to purpose.
Trust: The Bridge Between Yielding and Relationship
Trust is the foundation of any relationship. It says, “I value you and your heart.” If you’re serving someone in authority, show that you’re trustworthy by being consistent, honoring their vision, and remembering they’re human too. On the other side, leaders need to earn trust by valuing those who serve them.
Take Paul and Timothy as an example. Paul wasn’t just Timothy’s leader; he called him his “beloved child” (2 Timothy 1:2). That kind of connection doesn’t happen without trust. Timothy served Paul because he knew he was seen, valued, and not just another part of the machine.
Many people resist serving leaders because they’ve been burned before. Maybe you’ve experienced authority figures who seemed more interested in their agenda than God’s. I get it, but the solution isn’t to avoid serving—it’s to redeem it. Serving doesn’t mean blind obedience; it means honoring God by honoring the person He’s placed in your life, flaws and all.
Serving Is for Everyone—Yes, Even You
People like to believe they’ve arrived and start believing that serving is for the “lower” people on the totem pole that haven’t paid their dues, or those trying to prove themselves. Wrong. Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Serving isn’t a stepping stone to greatness—it is greatness.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for “serve” (“diakoneo”) means to attend to someone’s needs. It’s the same word used to describe angels ministering to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). Serving isn’t about being less; it’s about partnering with heaven.
Practical Takeaways
1. Check Your Heart: Are you serving out of obligation or as an act of worship? Ask God to align your heart with His.
2. Build Trust: Whether you’re serving or leading, focus on valuing the other person’s heart. Show up, communicate, and follow through.
3. Redeem Past Hurts: If bad experiences make you hesitant to serve, invite God into that space. Let Him redefine what serving can look like.
4. Start Small: Serving doesn’t have to be a big thing. Look for simple ways to honor the man of God in your life—a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or just being present.
Conclusion: The Fullness of Christ in You
Living in the fullness of Christ isn’t about accumulating personal spiritual wins; it’s about embodying His humility and servant-heartedness. When you serve God by serving a person, you’re not just supporting his calling—you’re stepping into your own. So, let’s ditch the resistance, past offense, self protection and start serving because in God’s kingdom, yielding isn’t weakness—it’s power!