Flip it and reverse it...

This morning I found myself thinking about different aspects of serving God. That's normal right? Wake up, drink coffee, watch a little ESPN Sports-Center and of course spend time dwelling on why God relies on humans, and specifically this human, to advance His kingdom. All in a morning's work. Well, all in this morning's work anyway.

But here're are some of my thoughts and you can feel free to disagree.

I think we as Christians have at times perhaps gotten to high of an opinion of ourselves. Somehow we've come to the conclusion that God NEEDS us to tell people about His greatness and His glory and the salvation He offers in Christ.

But He doesn't.

I mean surely God could write in the sky, " I am God. I exist. I love you. Repent and be saved" or He could magically drop a Bible onto each and every person's lap and the pages would flutter open to John 3:16 before slowly moving on down the Roman road. Or couldn't He appear to people in a vision or any other numerous ways? Of course He could.

But He doesn't.

Instead, the scriptures make clear that God wants to include US in His restorative, redemptive work in people. In Matthew 28:18 Jesus commands us "go and make disciples of all nations". But why does God want to include us? Why me? What is it about using people to serve Him, that glorifies God? And that's always the question by the way; God is seeking HIS glory. So what is it about using us that glorifies God?

Because we're weak. See, I flipped the script on ya. Our picture of God needing us to advance His kingdom is in fact about 180 degrees from reality. You see, in our weakness, HE is made strong. God looks good because He's using inferior means and still accomplishing His purposes. It's like if Alex Rodriguez used a twig and still won a batting title. Even though He's a Yankee we'd have to be in awe of that.

So God is most glorified this way because He is using the weakest of vessels to fulfill His purposes. But I'd like to throw this out there too...it doesn't just benefit God, it benefits us.

How?


First take a look at what our motivation for serving God is. In 1 Peter 2 is a glorious account of how God swept in and chose you and I specifically and rescued us from a dark, merciless existence and restored us to Himself and showered light and mercy and grace on us. Stop here for second. Re-read that. Or go look at 1 Peter 2. It's worth it. Then take a second and rejoice.

Luke 10:20b "...rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

For years I got this service concept backward. I thought that for God to approve of me I needed to be out and about doing stuff for Him or at the very least, behaving myself. As if somehow I would earn the grace He pours out on me. I had it wrong. I don't have to earn anything and in fact I couldn't possibly earn it anyway!! (Let me pause while I feel that burden fall off my shoulders)
Yeah, that feels nice!

God has already restored us perfectly to Himself. THAT is our motivation. We love God because He first loved us. You see, as we come to know and love and enjoy and experience God, He fills us with His Spirit and calls us to live our entire lives for Him.
That's what it means to serve God. (I know you were wondering if I was ever gonna get back on topic) Serving God doesn't necessarily mean going on one mission trip or serving at a soup kitchen (all good things)...it means giving our whole existence over to Him. Moment by moment. Day by day.

So how does this type of service benefit us? Simply put, it's the way were meant to live. A life wrapped around His feet. A life of surrender and obedience as He pursues us and fills us with Himself. And satisfies us. And glorifies Himself.

And yes this will manifest itself in the tangibles of mission trips and soup kitchens and building relationships and witnessing and countless other ways. And all of it because He rescued us. And chooses to include us.




God forgive me for thinking my life was about me. For thinking that I could earn Your grace. Give me Your truth.
Fill me with Your Spirit and give me Your desires that my life would not be about me at all, but lived with a single solitary passion to see Your name glorified and You made supreme in every aspect of my life. Thank you for saving me! For loving me! For entering into a relationship with me! Use me in whatever way You see fit. Open my eyes to opportunities all around me.
In Jesus' name, Amen