Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God
Romans 1:1 (ESV)

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Any menial task, when given by the king of heaven, becomes a heavenly trust.

Paul opens his most significant letter with a most insignificant title: servant. In any circumstance, most of us would be hesitant to proudly proclaim such a title. It is of the humblest of positions. The lowliest of all posts. To be the servant is to have the least agency, the least freedom, the least opportunity for creativity, the least honor, the least recognition, the least chance of promotion, the least, the least, the least.

It is curious, that in a society such as Rome, a society that placed such value on position and honor, that Paul would begin his letter by taking on a title of shame. He is immediately subverting the cultural mores.

Why? Because for Paul, to be a servant of Christ Jesus supersedes any earthly title or post. Later, he makes it explicit: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel,” he says (Romans 1:16). In Paul’s mind, even the lowest place in Christ’s kingdom eclipses the highest throne on earth (compare to Psalm 84:10).

What are your tasks today? What is your obligation? Whatever your job, Jesus calls you not to just do it on behalf of you or your organization, but to do it on behalf of his kingdom. In any and every position, our ultimate work is to be done unto the Lord and in his service. To do it with excellence and to do it for his glory (Colossians 3:23).

This trust is a sweet gift in a world of tiring toil. Our labor is not for ourselves, but for the King. What could be better than that?