for your own benefit.
Of course, we do need others to
succeed – “real” relationships and
collaboration are so important in every
successful area of life. So… What is
the solution to finding success?
I believe the best place to find the
answer is to simply see what Jesus
had to say about finding success. The
Bible tells us about an intense meeting
that Jesus had with a bold “stage mom”
and her two teenage wannabe boys
- James and John. She demanded:
“Jesus, fix it, so that my two sons will
be awarded the highest places of honor
in your kingdom - one on your right and
the other to your left.” Without mincing
words, Jesus said: “Whoever wants to
be great (or a leader) must become a
servant.” (Matthew 20:20-24)
So Jesus taught us that serving is not
only the “path” to success, it is success
in itself.
So what can serving actually do for
you, and what can serving do for
others? Here are five benefits of living
a life of service:
1. Serving Erases Fear of Failure
When your work is focused on others the
fear of failure is gone. As a professor
and entertainment lawyer in Nashville,
I teach artists that the key to overcome
stage fright, the fear of bombing at a
live show, is to understand that the
stage is a place where you are honored
to present your audience a gift. You are
there to love and serve your audience,
not just to receive their adoration and
affirmation. It’s about the audience.
It’s not about you as the artist. See the
“power” of that gift and make that your
focus -- not finding your identity in the
applause - then the spotlight becomes
a place of love instead of place of fear
with the risk of failure.
2. Serving Creates Purpose
When you work is centered on others
purpos e i s f ound. W h e n m y s o n
Harrison turned 16, we handed down
to him my Black 1989 Range Rover
that we affectionately call “The Beast”
- and he and I started talking about
potential summer jobs that would help
him pay for his gas and other costs. I
began naming a few places he could
apply: Chic fil-A? “Boring.” How about
that new Publix? “That would be really
boring.” How about the Juice Bar. “Nah,
kind of boring.” Finally, I stopped him.
“OK, enough with the “boring.” I want to
help you get a fresh vision and purpose
for your first job. You must see this first
job (and every job) as a place to serve
others -- not as a place for you to get
your emotional needs met.” If you ask
the question, where is a place that is
filled with people that need me and
need my gifts - then step into that
place desiring to bring life and joy to
Solutions • 7