Wednesday 12 Mar 2014

Wednesday Reading: Mark 10:42-45

Key Verse: Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Devotion:
James and John desired to be held in high esteem by Jesus as we probably all do so some extent, but we have to be very careful of what we do desire and the reasons why. If we are seeking self-praise or glory then we are not worshipping God but trying to lift ourselves to a higher place than He has given us. God has called each of us to be willing servants, to come forward and lift His name above all names, not our own. Jesus did not come into the world to be lifted higher than God, but came as a willing servant of His Father in heaven; we did the lifting as we realised who He was and is.

The same should be true in our lives; we should not be seeking to be lifted up as the greatest narrators, teachers, preachers, bishops or whatever but rather to be seeking to do as much as we can for our Lord and God. If we do get acclaim for what we do then we need to make sure that others realise that it is God who has given us the gifts and we are His willing servants.

I used to think that by doing what I could, I would be able to reach more people and make a bigger difference in this world. What I have learned is that I should instead be more willing to take on what God has given me to do so that I can give Him all the glory that he alone deserves. I love being a techy person and realise that God has given me these strengths for a reason; there are many people out there who love technology and mixing their love for God with technology reaches them on a whole new level. It is still the very same Word of God that is reaching them, but in a different way!

God can use us in ways we have never thought of before; we must be willing to be used of Him and be willing to come forward and do the work that He asks us to do. It is not always an easy thing to do; putting aside everything you have worked for or everything you have held dear so that you can work for Christ and with Him can be very daunting when there does not seem to be much reward. Being a servant is not all about earning as much as you can, but doing what God designs for you.

Points to Ponder:
Do you have a successful life?

Do you do your best for God?