Too Big To Serve

About a month ago, while visiting my former hair salon, I observed the hairstylist was still working alone. So, I asked her why she didn’t have an apprentice to help manage the workload.
Her response intrigued me. She said, “There are no more apprentices, and those who come, also leave without completing the training.”

Her response is more than a comment on the state of vocational training. It reflects a larger issue in our society. The culture of serving as a path to mastery is slowly fading.
In a world where we prioritize shortcuts and DIY solutions, the discipline of serving under others is often seen as unnecessary or beneath us. But what if the very path to fulfilling your purpose requires service?

Service is not just about helping someone else; it’s about growth, humility, and preparation. David served in the fields tending sheep before he ever became king. Joseph served in Potiphar’s house and in prison before he became a ruler in Egypt. Even Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to demonstrate the heart of service.

Service positions you in spaces where you connect with people who can shape your destiny. Serving refines you, it teaches you discipline and empathy. When you serve, you develop character, gain wisdom, and build relationships necessary for the next phase of your purpose.

Notably, one of the biggest obstacles to serving is pride. The thought of being “too big” or “too important” to serve prevent people from accessing the opportunities that were meant to be theirs.
We see people skipping processes, relying on shortcuts and brief self-learning courses. While these methods have value, they can’t replace the depth of experience gained from submitting to a mentor, learning on the job, or observing someone else’s leadership.

Service is beneficial to the future of anyone who prioritises it. Serving under someone allows you to learn from their successes and mistakes but it requires that you set aside your ego, and walk in humility recognizing that every great leader was once a follower. As the saying goes, ‘If serving is beneath you, leadership is beyond you.’

Many breakthroughs happen not because of qualifications, but because of relationships. Moreover, service enables hands-on learning that perfects your craft. Whether you’re an apprentice hairdresser or an aspiring entrepreneur, the skills you develop while serving are often unmatched by theoretical knowledge.

I remember how the late Dr. Myles Munroe often spoke about how serving his pastor and community helped him discover and refine his calling as a global teacher and leader.
There are so many biblical examples who are proof of service as an investment into the future. Good service opens doors, so shift your mindset. View service as an investment in yourself, and not as a favor to someone else.

Look for areas where you can learn and contribute. Whether it’s in your workplace, church, or community, find spaces that align with your interests. If you choose to serve, do so wholeheartedly. Excellence in service opens doors to recognition and greater opportunities.

When we humble ourselves to serve, we gain the tools, wisdom, and character needed to walk in our calling. Service teaches us that greatness is not found in being served but in serving others.
So, the next time pride whispers that you’re “too big” to serve, remind yourself that you’re never too big to grow and growth often starts in the humblest of places.

Remember, purpose can never be fulfilled in isolation.

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