Huperetes...

In 1st Corinthians 4, Paul is writing to a church who is living in the flesh and because of this they are beginning to divide and have division in the church.  They were arguing and fighting with one another because some followed Paul... some followed Apollos... So Paul begins to tell them, "Hey this is how you should view all of the Apostles of Jesus." 1 Corinthians 4:1b says, "regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."

The literal word for SERVANT in the Greek is "HUPERETES" which is translated servant or minister.  This word means "under-oarsman"... And under-oarsman was a slave who was placed on the bottom level of a ship who simply followed the cadence of the drummer and rowed the ship faithfully.  And this is what those of us who are ministers and pastors are... We don't set the course or determine the direction.  We just get to row away. We simply do what the Captain of the ship, Jesus Christ tells us to do knowing that ultimately He will bring us to the right destination. Day after day, stroke after stroke we are called to faithfully follow what the Lord has called us to do. If God has called you to teach, teach. If He has called you to be a deacon, deac... At the end of the day if we are faithful servants we to get to enjoy the ride and are able to see and accomplish far more than we could ever imagine with the Lord guiding the ship.