What are the things you are known for? What are the things you want to be known for?

If I could choose some things to be known for, I would probably think of things like: a teacher who really knows her stuff, a super fun aunt and grandma, a wife and mother of a successful family, and a faithful church member. A devoted pug mom, unbeatable tennis player, and outstanding cook would also probably make the list.

I would like to be known for these things. I know it’s a huge stretch (although I did just win our church chili cook-off). But the last few chapters of Deuteronomy have me thinking about what really matters. 

Moses is reaching the end of his life. As a matter of fact, God tells him to go up to Mount Nebo and die there. In Deut. 34, the last words about Moses’s life are written. We know that Moses wrote most of the book of Deuteronomy, but at this point someone else must have taken over. This part that Moses can’t have written himself, because he wasn’t around! Verse 5 says, “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab.”

It doesn’t say,  “Moses spokesman before Pharoah” or “Moses leader through the Red Sea” or  “Moses writer of the ten commandments” or “Moses shepherd of a nation.” 

“Moses servant of the Lord.”

When it comes down to it, is there any other title we would really want to possess? Is there anything better to be known for?

The verse doesn’t say, “Moses murderer of the Egyptian” or “Moses short-tempered striker of the rock.” Thankfully sin and shortcomings aren’t acknowledged here. Because Moses’s life so well reflected a faithful servitude to God.

What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord?

A servant is someone who carries out the will of another. A servant doesn’t worry about his or her own needs. A true servant is totally dedicated to doing whatever his or her master commands.

The ultimate “servant of the Lord” is Christ Himself. Though He was God, He lowered Himself to live on this earth as a servant, one who was willing to give everything, even His life.

God, help me to see how I can serve you better today – through my job, my interactions with others, and the choices I make. Let my life not be about me and my ambitions, but about being a true “servant of the Lord.”