Servant's Life

We live in an it’s-all-about-me kind of world.  We want our food fast and made our way with extra ketchup, double cheese and hold the pickle.  We expect our coffee a certain way and heaven help the poor barista if she messes up our decaf, double shot, extra whip latte of the day.  Because it’s all about us and we do not have the time for others to make mistakes.

Thanks to technology, we have instant access to news, entertainment, work information and anything else that may strike our fancy at the moment.  With texting and social media, we can give our opinions and promote our agendas all day long.  And we do.

Everyone has seen the bumper sticker that asks, “What if the hokey-pokey is really what it’s all about?â€Â  Though there is humor in that sentiment, there is another disturbing question we should be asking ourselves.  What if it really isn’t all about us?

When did this happen – this obsession with self?  Some would say it has gotten gradually worse over the years and it was not always so.  But they would be wrong.

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The disciples had been with Jesus all day long.  They had witnessed miracles and heard the deep teachings of Christ.  They walked side by side with Him and, as the day ended, they were busy arguing amongst themselves.  What could they possibly be upset about?

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.  – Luke 9:46 ESV

They hear the very words of the Son of God.  They witness the healing of disease and the driving out of demons.  They walk by His side as He, again, tells them about His death.  The Bible says that they did not understand what He was trying to say.  Of course they didn’t.  They were too busy focusing on themselves.  Each of them wanted to be, not just great, but the greatest.  Sounds quite a lot like today, doesn’t it?

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We take a lot of pride in our fancy new car until the neighbor pulls in with one just a smidgeon fancier.  We gloat about our corner office until we realize our co-worker has a slightly better view.  We are no longer content to be the best that we can be.  Now, we have to be the best of all.  Bigger is always better and, yet, never big enough.

If we are not careful, we will sacrifice home, health and happiness on the altar of self-promotion.  And, in the process, we will miss out on what God is trying to teach us because we will be so focused on looking out for number one.

Sometimes the day does not go as planned and you feel like a failure even before lunch.  The carefully thought out agenda for the day mocks you as the baby refuses to nap and grape juice drips onto your freshly mopped floors.

You listen to others talk about quiet times of prayer and devotion and you wonder how they possibly manage such a luxury when you are too busy kissing boo-boos, wiping noses and tripping over toys.  You long to just slip away for a moment.

It was dark.  It was deserted.  And He was praying.  Sounds positively peaceful and delightful, doesn’t it?

You’ve been there – in that moment when the planets have all aligned and somehow all of the children are momentarily entertained.  There is a brief whisper of time when you can slip away to your own little space and breathe deep.

And, just as you are about to pour your heart out to God…

Someone comes searching for you.  They come knocking on the door.  They come asking for a snack, a toy, a hug.  Someone needs you and they have come into your dark, deserted place of prayer.

We do not know how long Jesus was in prayer when He was interrupted, but we can be sure it was not long enough.  When you finally get that moment with just yourself and God, does it ever last long enough?  Can’t you just feel the frustration and exhaustion?  He had been serving and healing and teaching all day and night and here, in the wee hours of the morn, He just needed some time.

Yes, you know the feeling well.

So, what should be the response to such an interruption?

He left His quiet place and went to meet the needs of others.  Christ came, not to be served, but to serve.  And, like Him, we are called to be servants.  No one ever said it would be fun or glamorous.  The right thing is rarely the easy thing.

No matter the situation, Christ was always mindful of why He had come.  

So, when your day seems out of control, remember that He is always in control.

When Satan wants to distract you with plans gone awry and constant interruptions – think of Christ’s constant love and service to others and say, This is why I have come.

Storms scare me – specifically tornadoes.  They scare me because I am no stranger to them.  I can still recall sitting in my car and watching a tornado travel down the road beside me.  That isn’t something you soon forget. So, as the storms raged last night, I found it hard to sleep.  Fear can be a powerful thing.

Many people speak of the fear of the unknown.  The truth, however, is that people are usually afraid of those things they know all too well.

That’s how it was with Jacob.  He was no stranger to the wrath of his brother Esau.

Jacob had a seemingly legitimate reason to fear his brother.  Yet, often, God calls us to face the very thing that we fear.  It’s just His way.

Yes, sometimes, He sends us back to the very thing we have spent our lives running from.  But, don’t miss the best part.

When God instructs you to face your biggest fear He always promises His mighty presence.  

God knows that a life of fear is no life at all.  And He will do whatever it takes to set you free.  Freedom is a big deal to God.  His Son did the work of setting you free and there is no room for the bondage of fear.

Whatever fear you face – whatever it is you might be running from – if God is calling you to return you can know that He will be with you.

(Mark 5:25-34)

What stands between you and intimacy with Christ?

Apart from sin, the biggest barrier we encounter is shame.  That is why, very often, we want our healing to happen in private. We believe in His power. Yet, our instinct is to touch the hem of His robe and then disappear into the crowd.

But Jesus is interested in more than simply healing our hurts. His desire is that we be transformed.  That is why, though the woman had already been physically healed, He was insistent upon seeing her face to face.

Shame had been her identity for so long.

Satan wants you to believe that you are your past.  He has a great memory and he loves to remind you of your every mistake.  He would love nothing more than for your identity to be all tied up in your shame.

That is why Jesus would not move on until the woman came to Him.  He could not let her slip away because she had not yet received all that He wanted her to receive.  So, He waited.  And she came to Him.

If we want transformation, we have to be willing to bare our souls to Christ.  There is no confession that is going to shock Him.  There is no admission that will make Him turn away from you.  He can heal from afar, but transformation happens in His presence.  This woman’s shame caused her to almost settle for healing.

But Christ, the great pursuer, gave her far more.

She came to Christ bound by sickness and shame.

She walked away in peace and freedom.

Intimacy with Christ is far more than healing.  It’s a transformation – a brand new identity that has nothing to do with our shame, but everything to do with our Savior.

*A post from the archives as I enjoy this snow day with my girls.