I like St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s a nice day to wear green and speak in an Irish accent all day long.

It’s always close to college basketball’s March Madness, an already fantastic time of year.

Not only that, I almost had two sons born on St. Patrick’s Day. Braedon was due on March 17 and came only one day late. Winston was due on Braedon’s birthday but he came five days after St. Patrick’s Day.

As you know, the story of St. Patrick is much more than a day to wear green, drink Irish beer and watch a ton of college basketball. Patrick of Ireland was actually a devout man of God, and his life and ministry can teach us some valuable lessons.

Born into a wealthy English (possibly Welsh) family, Patrick was kidnapped at age 16. He was brought to Ireland and sold into slavery, spending much of his younger years working as a shepherd. In his Confession he writes about how God told him to flee from Ireland and return to England. It was there he would take up religious studies while living in the quietness and solitude of a monastery.

He later returned to Ireland as an ordained minister and missionary. It is said that he was an engaging speaker, baptized thousands of people and ordained new priests to minister the gospel.

Patrick’s ministry and service clearly had an impact on his world. But that impact didn’t come because he was simply good at what he did — it was in how he approached service. I see two aspects of his approach we can apply today.

First, Patrick was a prepared servant. I don’t know what his intentions were when he began his religious studies. Did he sit down and write his five goals on how he would change the world for God? Did he put out his resumé hoping he would land a great preaching gig? I’m not sure what his plans were. What I do know is that when the time came to serve he was prepared. His time in solitude and his commitment to prayer made him ready to serve when the opportunity came.

Secondly, Patrick was a humble servant. He wrote this about himself: “Patrick the sinner, an unlearned man to be sure. None should ever say that it was my ignorance that accomplished any small thing, it was the gift of God.” Patrick understood that it was God doing the work and that he was an instrument in God’s hands. It was not when he was living in luxury, but instead when he was listening as a lowly servant that God called him to service.

Don’t underestimate the importance of preparedness and humility when you approach your role of service.

As a worship leader I can too easily trust in my own abilities and forget to prepare. I can also pridefully see my position as a glorious one (after all, the spotlight is on me!) when God is the only who who should receive glory.

So in your own area of service, plan to be prepared and prepare to humbly serve. If you need to wear green as a reminder, feel free to do that as well.