What’s Your Elevator Pitch?
What’s your elevator pitch? Most of you know I’m referring to that succinct explanation of what your business, nonprofit, or church is all about. An elevator ride is usually pretty short, and you’re with complete strangers. So, if you were actually in an elevator and only had a few seconds to describe your business and what you do, you would have to be precise.
When Paul wrote his letter to the believers in Rome, he hadn’t yet been to Rome. So, it was important in his opening to identify himself and give a clear description of who he was and what his mission was before he got into the meat of his message. Similarly, when we want to share our faith, it’s a good idea not to blow past some basic relationship development.
Most people don’t really want to know all the details about our lives and our beliefs if we haven’t taken the time—or given them the courtesy—to get to know them. So, I’m not suggesting you write an elevator pitch and use it every time you meet someone. But I do think the first few verses of Romans give us something to think about concerning who we are and what we are called to do as followers of Jesus.
Sometimes we default to our titles when introducing ourselves, perhaps hoping that we might be seen as someone important. But note that the first way Paul introduced himself was as a servant of Jesus. Yes, he followed that by saying he was an apostle, but that was secondary to the primary way he understood himself.
When we give ourselves to Jesus and name him as our Lord, we are like Paul: servants of Jesus.
Jesus gave us a beautiful example of what it means to be a servant in John 13. When he washed his disciples’ feet, he gave us a picture of the words he used elsewhere when he said that if we want to be great in God’s kingdom, we must learn to be a servant of all.
Often, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out our calling or what specifically we are supposed to do with our lives. But according to the examples of both Jesus and Paul, it seems to begin by first embracing our role as servants of Jesus and, therefore, servants of others.
Before we figure out exactly what we are called to do, perhaps we should first settle who we are called to be.
Father, we are humbled and amazed by your great love for us, demonstrated in the gift of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for calling us to yourself through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Today, we will embrace our calling as servants of Jesus and look for ways to serve others and build relationships that allow us to share the wonderful message of Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Romans 1:1-7 ESV
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