The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control. Jesus knew that. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God.
John 13:3 GW
Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands and that He had come from God and was returning to God. So what did He do? He took the form of a humble servant, even though He was the King of all.
We are returning to God. All things are in His hands, even our lives. So what should we do? Follow the example of Jesus. Take the form of a humble servant.
Making disciples is our chief concern. We serve humanity by carrying the message of God where it hasn’t been received yet. We serve the lost by preaching the Good News in the hopes of bringing them to a saving knowledge of Christ.
I find I need to remind myself of the Gospel everyday just to keep in good spirits. If I forget that I’m saved by faith and think that my works have something to do with it, I can easily either despair or get puffed up with pride. Neither of which is a good outcome.
We serve our brothers and sisters in Christ by encouraging them to obey everything that Jesus taught. Sometimes we teach. Sometimes we preach. Sometimes we exhort. Sometimes we serve. Sometimes we give. Whatever we do, we do it in love, to build up the Body, not our reputations.
Our hope is in Heaven. Our time here is temporary. Servants work to please their Master. They don’t serve for the pay or the accolades. They serve because they love their Master.
God is our Master. We have free will. Use it to choose His will be done, not your own selfish will. It requires dying to yourself daily. Sometimes it will be inconvenient. Sometimes it will cost you. Ultimately, it is the most rewarding thing you can do.
Perhaps you’re facing opposition right now. Perhaps the going is tough. Perhaps those you thought of as trusted friends and coworkers have abandoned the faith. Don’t despair. God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Now is the time to dig deep. Sink your roots into the firm foundation of Christ’s love. Let Him sustain you through every season. We only bear fruit if we remain in the vine.
For as much as needs to be done, it’s best to slow down. Eliminate everything that is unnecessary. Build blocks of uninterrupted inactivity into your schedule simply to rest, worship and commune with God.
We can’t pour into other people’s lives if our cups are empty. I’ve learned the hard way that I’m not responsible for saving the world and reforming the Church. That’s God’s responsibility.
My responsibility is obedience. I do my part and He does His. I’m just supposed to faithfully walk with Him and speak what He gives me to say and do what He gives me to do. I don’t have to go looking for things to do or dream up things to say, there are plenty of opportunities presented everyday.
Waiting on the Lord is where our strength comes from. Don’t wear yourself out chasing the world. Servants obey their Master. Even when He says to stop and rest.
Father, give us the wisdom to know what to do and the strength to carry it out. Forgive us for our worldliness and make the things of this world grow strangely dim. Give us a hunger and thirst for righteousness. May we seek your Kingdom first and be Your humble servants each day, wherever we live, serve and play. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV