Warrior is a word which appeals to many of us. We like to think of ourselves as fighters. Of course, there are plenty of fights to be had in this day and age, and our society has become rather defined by one fight after another. As a result, we are deeply concerned with fighting, with knowing what side each person is on, and labeling, condemning, and attacking our “enemies” on the other side.
In Fort Worth, Texas, a now former police officer has been charged with murder after a shooting that left a young woman dead. The details of the case are tragic and scary, but this quote stood out to me from Interim Police Chief Ed Kraus concerning training his officers, “We’re trying to ensure that they act and react… with the servant’s heart, instead of a warrior’s heart.”
Think about the power of that image; a servant’s heart instead of a warrior’s heart. We are eager to be warriors and reluctant to be servants. When we sit down at our keyboards to fight the daily war on social media, we are ready to be keyboard warriors, making fun of the other side, demeaning, demonizing, and mocking all those who do not share our enlightenment. Sometimes we are being warriors for Jesus, helping fight for His kingdom. There is one problem with that.
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all…
(2 Timothy 2:24a)
…whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
(Mark 10:43)
Jesus, omnipotent God of the universe did not march down onto earth with what we would call the heart of a warrior. He came, not to be served, but to serve and give His life. We in turn are called to be like Him, to imitate and follow His example. The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes that we are to have the heart of a servant, not the heart of a warrior. We are told to bless, not curse, our enemies. We are told to love our enemies and pray for them. We are commanded to honor unjust masters and leaders.
“We are eager to be warriors and reluctant to be servants “
I am thankful for the men and women who choose to serve us. Soldiers, Police Officers, Firefighters, Civil Servants, and many more. I admire all those that seek to have a heart of service rather than the heart of a warrior. As a follower of Christ, I pray that I might strive to cultivate in myself a willingness to be a servant, and be less enthralled with being a warrior. As the Chief said, to act and react with the heart of a servant.