Called to Be Great

As we celebrate the Year of the Adventist Pastor in Jamaica, let us as spouses focus on how we can be “great” and help our pastors to be “great” by being a servant to all.

Elesa Marsh-Archer writes from Jamaica, where she is an attorney-at-law and Shepherdess sponsor for the North Jamaica Conference. Her husband, Karl, is the president of their conference. She enjoys singing, reading, and counseling.

We live in a world where the word great is synonymous with being prominent, pre-eminent, important, distinguished, noble, famous, celebrated, honored, or esteemed. But Jesus offers a stark contrast in Matthew 20:26, 27:

“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (KJV).

When we compare God’s definition of greatness to the world’s, we can feel perplexed and even resentful that in God’s eyes, true greatness is measured by one’s willingness to be selfless and to minister as a servant. The idea of being a servant is often scoffed at because it is synonymous with being a slave, and in today’s world, no one wants to be a slave!

Ellen White writes: “In His life and lessons Christ has given a perfect exemplification of the unselfish ministry which has its origin in God. God does not live for Himself. By creating the world, and by upholding all things, He is constantly ministering to others. ‘He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust’ (Matthew 5:45). This ideal of ministry the Father committed to His Son. Jesus was given to stand at the head of humanity, by His example to teach what it means to minister. His whole life was under a law of service. He served all, ministered to all” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 359).

As we celebrate the Year of the Adventist Pastor in Jamaica, let us as spouses focus on how we can be “great” and help our pastors to be “great” by being a servant to all. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, KJV).

 

Elesa Marsh-Archer writes from Jamaica, where she is an attorney-at-law and Shepherdess sponsor for the North Jamaica Conference. Her husband, Karl, is the president of their conference. She enjoys singing, reading, and counseling.