Here rests in honored glory an American solider known only to God.
—Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
I recently discovered that the Romans (my people) taught the world the importance of demonstrating servanthood.
The early Italians viewed the head covering as an emblem of social or political superiority. When an Italian man tipped his hat to a passerby, it was a sign of servitude.
Since the l950s our dress code in America has become more relaxed, but before that men almost always wore hats. When they removed them or tipped them, it was a sign of respect or servanthood.
In the past we had familiar phrases such as “with hat in hand,” and “I take my hat off to him.” These expressions reflected the understanding of this concept of servanthood.
Jesus taught His disciples the importance of servanthood as a means to reach the lost. Unfortunately, too many of us today want to be served; we do not want to be servants.
We want to be up front, noticed, and acclaimed. Just as the tradition of showing respect by removing or tipping one’s hat has almost disappeared, so has the tradition of servanthood by those who call themselves Christians.
I call an attitude of servanthood “the silent witness.”
If you are helpful on your job, an attentive listener to friends, or the one who reaches out to help someone in any way, you have become a servant.
If you can see a need and meet it before you are asked, then you have mastered servanthood.
If this is an area you are lacking, practice “taking off your hat” this week. Each day commit yourself to one random act of kindness.
Do something that is not already required of you. Remember, to reach the world you must first be like Jesus, the greatest servant of all.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.
(Matt. 25:21)
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Carman Domenic Licciardello is an enigma in Christian music, often described as part evangelist, part Vegas Showman. His concerts were more like a rock and roll Billy Graham Crusade than a Christian music event. After all the singing, dancing, clapping, and preaching, crowds of people would stream down to the counseling area to accept Christ-many times as many as 5,000 in an evening.
Admission was usually free; a simple offering was taken, similar to 30,000 churches on Sunday mornings. And he filled the largest stadiums the world over. Carman held the record for the largest Christian concert ever in Dallas, Texas. But it even goes beyond that. Take the Mega Stadium acts that played the famed landmark such as Pink Floyd, U 2, Madonna, The Jackson Five, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and even Metallic. As the newspapers noted, you'll see that the one-act that drew the highest attendance in Texas Stadium was Carman, with 71,132.
Carman (1956-2021) was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
Born Carman Licciardello, he began recording under his first name and released his debut album in 1980. Carman began charting contemporary Christian hits in 1984 with "Sunday's on the Way," reaching No. 1 with "The Champion" (1986) and "Radically Saved" (1988). His other hit songs include "Lord of All," "Jesus Is the Light," and "Satan, Bite the Dust!" Carman reportedly holds the world record for the largest audience at a Christian concert. His popularity was at its height in the 1980s and early '90s, but he continued releasing albums for years, including his most recent release, 2014's "No Plan B." In 2018, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.