CWW Week 12 - Day 4 - Humility
|
Humility
Scripture:
Ephesians 6:7:
“with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,”
Today we move on to the step of surrendering and humility that truly brings great character development.
Service
By now we are coming to terms with the truth that the best things in life aren’t things. They’re people and relationships. This requires that we put others first and develop an others centred love. Service requires sacrifice and selflessness.
How does that help us in our needs?
Well if everyone looked after his neighbour wouldn’t we all be sustained?
Nothing satisfies me more than knowing that my efforts for others have had an effect on their outcomes. My gift of self in service has uplifted someone else. What I have noticed is that gift of self when received also uplifts me? Is giving the gift that keeps on giving?
One notable instance illustrating this is found in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:45), where Jesus says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
How often have we heard this scripture to illustrate the true essence of service and sacrifice? John 15:13 (King James Version), which states: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Service and sacrifice require a humility that says that the life of another is of more importance than ones own. This is achievable is understanding the true nature of God and His will for us and surrendering to that will.
What ever the outcomes as we move in faith, we know that Gods’ will is perfect and just and will be rewarding in our walk to develop a better character.
How to surrender.
God is waiting to bless us, to anoint us with the oil of the Holy Spirit, but it requires an action of us. Many withhold life changing decisions as they wait and pray for God to tell them what to do.
God gave us an intellect and a purpose that many of us have failed to recognise. If we make a decision that doesn’t work out then God has not blessed us. But is that true?
Even a bad choice has some rewards in that it adds to our wisdom and helps to generate a stronger character. God gave us free will and that means the journey of life requires us to make choices.
God will then bless as He sees fit; but we have to give Him something to bless.
Remember it’s not always the destination that matters, it’s the journey along the way.
A compass will always point to true north. It will point you in the direction of the destination but it makes no account of the mountains and oceans, swamps and deserts you may encounter on the way. Detours are often required in order to get where we need to be.
A friend of mine once said that Jesus loves us so much that He pulls the blueprint of our lives each day to redraw it around the errors and mistakes we made the day before.
Surrendering to this great power gives us freedom we might never have imagined.
So getting back to Ephesians 6:7:
“with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,”
Service must be done with a good and giving spirit not a sense of drudgery. We serve others because God showed us in the character of His Son Jesus, that this is our destiny if we are to take up the cross.
We do this to please our Father and not other men. It’s called obedience.
One of my favourite verses of scripture is Galations 1:10.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
If we love Christ and live to serve Him through obedience, we manifest this in serving others as Jesus did.
Sometimes one of the greatest acts of service is in telling someone that they matter and they are loved. It can be that simple.
Can there ever be a greater calling?
Questions
- In what ways have you devoted your life to serving someone else?
- Do you have a desire to help and serve others without seeking anything in return?
- Is there someone in your circle of influence who needs your help today?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God.
Thanks you for showing me through the life of your Son Jesus, that the essence of life is in giving and serving. I need you Papa to soften my heart of stone and change my attitude of selfishness and give me a heart to serve for your sake and not my own. Help me to give and receive the gift of service through obedience to Your will for my life, is my prayer in Jesus Holy name. Amen.
Graham Hood
