The Servant Test

“The true test of my servant heart is being treated like one.”

At times we all feel used, abused, taken advantage of, put upon. On those occasions, in those situations, have you found it hard to remember that Jesus called us to be servants; that the greatest will be the one who serves? Grrr. I hate that when that happens . . . my pride rises up, my feelings get hurt, I get impatient, I pick up an offense—and my “servanthood” evaporates into thin air. And often I am even certain that my rights, my boundaries, my perspective is justified.

As summer is upon us, routines fall by the wayside. Heat takes a toll on good humor. Kids need ferried and funded and friended—leaving us feeling frazzled. Let’s offer the sacrifice of a humble heart and give our service cheerfully “as unto the Lord.” Seems He told us that He resists the proud, but draws near to the humble. And oh, I do so want His presence and favor in my life! How about you?

Lost and Found

Something I thought lost forever has been found! When I was fourteen, my family sold everything and moved to Australia. Our departing luggage was overweight, so my siblings and I left our Bibles in the basement of the friends (an elderly widow and son) where we stayed our last night in the U.S. My dad promised to replace them, and I still have that dainty white leather Oxford Press Bible. But the one I left behind fifty-five years ago, the one with a long list of verses I memorized and recorded in my childish script, was returned to me this past Mother’s Day! My cousin discovered it when she packed up her parents’ belongings to move them into assisted living. But the tricky part is that at the time of our move, my aunt and uncle did not live in the same town as our friends. And to make the discovery even more mysterious, twenty years ago my aunt and uncle sold their farm and most of their belongings and moved hundreds of miles away to live near my cousin, and the widow and her son both died many years ago. How my Bible got to my relatives and made the move with them and then remained tucked away in a box for half a century remains an enigma. Made me reflect on our God; He never loses anything . . . and not just Bibles. WE are engraved on the palms of His hands. Isa. 49:14-16

Armed and Dangerous

My study in I Peter has been rich. After all, you can’t talk about the role of authority in our lives—especially in independent-minded America, without stimulating a lively discussion. Or how about the role of women in the home, in the church, in the community? And then there’s that challenging word, “suffering,” that doesn’t quite fit into our “faith” theology or jive with our misconception that “I’ve been good so therefore God owes me a life of ease.” In fact, Peter uses military terminology, “arm yourself,” to tell us to mentally prepare to deal with hard times that are part of God’s will for us. (I Peter 3:14-4:1)

                Seeing the devastation caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, and aftershocks in Haiti, Japan, Indonesia and New Zealand, for example, we can see why the Apostle Peter would write to First Century suffering Christians and tell them to view hardship and persecution, both personal and societal, as an open door for ministering to people’s needs and for sharing the hope we have in Christ. Let's be alert and see life as filled with opportunities!

Aint No Ants on Me!

               When we first moved into our new condo we struggled with periodic invasions of itty-bitty ants. We discovered the building site was formerly a massive ant hill. At the most unexpected times an almost microscopic chain gang crew dressed in black would march across our tile floor or invade the laundry or bathroom. Sneaky little critters! Always looking for a hole or crack that would let them in.

                Sort of like sin, hu? Little—like white lies. Seemingly harmless. But relentless. Finding the holes in our armor.
                Yes, I rubbed them out with the sole of my shoe. And I called the exterminator. No ants welcome here. Satan, be gone! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Secrets

The other day I was reminded of the inspirational idea given to me by an older friend when I was a young mom. She said she looked every day for an opportunity to “anonymously” bless someone in her family—to do something nice, something unexpected, something not done for reward, thanks or recognition for her husband or one of her children each day. Have I done it every day of my life? No. But more times than I would have without the inspiration. So—in the busyness of getting back to school and routine, look for ways to quietly bless those around you. God, who sees in secret, rewards openly.

"Costume and Prop" Envy

     The Apostle Paul, suffering in a Roman prison, encouraged Philippian believers to remain strong, to rejoice always in their salvation and to remain focused on God and His purpose for their lives. Saying yes to God is saying yes to His script for me. He provides the “costumes and the props”, so to speak, that will best suit the role He enlisted me to fill. This means the opportunities and experiences presented to me will be unique—simply because my role is unique.

     When I wrap my mind around this revelation, oh, how freeing it is! It means I don’t have to be envious of others or frustrated with the options I did/didn’t have presented to me or the talents I do/don’t have. If I don’t have what I need in order to accomplish something, then either I’m trying to do something outside His plan for me--or that is His window for a miracle. (We all want miracles; we just don’t want to be in a place where we need one, but a miracle is only a miracle if I can’t do it on my own!)

Hudson Taylor said it this way, “God’s work, done God’s way, will have God’s provision.”

     So ask yourself: 1) What is God’s purpose for me? 2) Am I doing that? 3) Have I gotten side-tracked into things that aren’t in His purpose for me? 4) Am I distracted by looking at other people’s “costumes and props”? 5) Do I expect God to do miracles to fulfill His purpose through me?"

"His divine power has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness . . ." II Peter 1:3

Subtly Self-righteous

                Ever find yourself expecting people to think and act just like you? How do you respond when they don’t? Compliment them on their creativity---their ability to think outside the box (your box) . . . Or comment on their obviously inferior intellect, info-gathering process or spirituality?

                The other day I found myself saying, “I just can’t imagine doing . . . .” and the Holy Spirit slammed me against the wall with one word, “self-righteous.” ME?? Yes, me. I was reminded that if I’d been given that person’s upbringing, experiences, tragedies, etc., that would be me—or worse.

                “And furthermore,” the Holy Spirit said loudly, “you can learn something from that person.” What! LEARN SOMETHING—“Well, yes (said I, still righteously), learn what not to do.”

                And then Holy Spirit said gently, “No, learn to have compassion, grace and patience; to cover another’s sin; not to judge before knowing all the facts; not to make myself feel righteous (filthy rags to Him) by belittling someone else.” There are riches to be learned from those who rub me the wrong way, irritate me, disappoint me or come at life from a perspective different than mine. Next time I’m tempted to say, “I would never . . .” may I say instead, “Teach me, Lord.”