Craig T. Owens

In this era of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like, we are so concerned about connections, friends, followers, and likes. We self-promote and pray for popularity.

Well, I don’t think anyone is actually brazen enough to pray, “God, make me popular.” But we often live as if popularity was the answer to a prayer. We gain our status by who we know, what we’ve done, what we are doing, the places we’ve worked, the number of “friends,” “followers” and “connections” we have accumulated.

James wrote a book of the Bible. As he opened the letter he introduced himself. He could have said:

• I am the half-brother of Jesus
• I am the leader of the Christian Church
• I chaired the Jerusalem Council

Instead he simply said, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not even the servant, as if he were distinguished among others, but the indefinite article a servant. The Greek word here (doulos) means:

• A slave
• “One who gives himself up to another’s will for Christ to use his service to advance His cause among men” (Strong’s).
• Devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.

Any connections, friends, followers, skills, talents, or opportunities I have are wholly God’s. He gave them to me so I could serve Him and serve others. I am merely a steward of what He’s given me—I AM DOULOS.

My desire for my eulogy and my tombstone: “He was a servant.”

I am living to hear my Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”