September 11

Servants of All


And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Mark 10:44 (KJV)


When Mark Schultz performed his stirring song Letters from War this weekend, it drew thunderous applause. Over 1,400 men at the CB Northwest Men’s Roundup were on their feet pounding their palms in a great swell of emotion.

These men were raising the rafters not just because of Mark or his great tune but because of the images of privates returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to hugs and kisses and heroes’ happy reunions.

All of us were clapping because these young soldiers had served ... all of us

In the aftermath of 9/11, they were serving a grateful nation, and a sustained standing ovation was nothing close to the recognition these brave service members deserved. We continued to applaud, because it was all we could give at that moment. We continued to stand because so many others before stood tall for us … all of us.

As I clapped with the others, it lifted me to another level of appreciation, and suspended in the moment, the truth came to me.

The greatest people aren’t the biggest personalities, or the loudest voices, or the flashiest performers. The greatest people … are those who serve.


Lord God, make me a worthy servant—a servant of all. Amen.