Luke 14:11
What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, I attended a dessert potluck one evening with a group of RVers who came to Heber Springs for a conference on Workamping – working while traveling in an RV. These Workampers were treated to a musical performance by the Gardner Boys – a family in our community whose talent is well-known and respected. The group included Rick Gardner and his three sons… Matthew, Will, and Jack. I have known the Gardners since Matthew and Will were babies, and I have watched all three boys grow and develop into fine young men – and wonderful musical artists.
I had the honor of introducing the Gardner Boys to the group… and I learned from their mom, Melisa, that they had brought CDs to sell to anyone who might be interested. She said, “The boys are too modest to tell anyone that they have their CDs for sale.” But by the end of the night, several in the crowd had made purchases. They were enthralled with these young men and their music… and the rest of the conference, they could not stop talking about how talented the boys were and how much their concert had been enjoyed.
These boys are wonderful showmen… but they are not show-offs… and there is a difference. They know how to show up in costume and put on a good show. This rainy, stormy night, the boys showed up in casual attire – shorts and t-shirts – and they let their talent speak for itself. They still delivered a good show… one that had people from other states asking, “How far would you travel to perform?”… but they were not the least bit pretentious. They were content to be themselves. They modestly autographed their CDs… acting almost embarrassed that anyone would want their signature. For them, the music comes about as naturally as breathing… but their performance was amazing and delightful to those who were in attendance.
Now shift gears with me and think about your Christian walk. Is it as natural to you as breathing? Are you content to be yourself? Do you share your love of Christ with others without giving it a second thought? Do you deliver your very best for Jesus day in and day out, with no fanfare – “in t-shirt and shorts” – with a spirit of humble service? Or do you puff out your chest as if to say to the world, “Look at me… I’m a child of God… a disciple of Christ… and I am special! Listen to what I have to say. Notice what I am doing… because it’s important!”?
Do you expect extra credit and recognition for your service in Jesus’ name? Do you expect people to treat you differently – to give you a special parking space or seat at the table because of how God has used you and/or blessed you? Do you feel superior to others because of what God has allowed you to accomplish and acquire? Do you expect people to be so enamored of you that they practically beg for your autograph?
It is important that we give God our very best each and every day, regardless of our station in life. But it is equally important that we serve with a humble spirit… that we let God’s work in and through us speak for itself - not what we have accomplished. The minute we begin to give anyone the impression that we are the least bit better than they are… or that we are more capable, more blessed, or more important – to others or to God – we have failed as Christian servants… and we fall flat on our faces.
I don’t know about you, but I never want to be a failure as God’s servant. I don’t want to ever be arrogant, self-serving, or superior to others… or to even hint to them that I consider myself as such in any way. I pray that we will all ask God for a humble spirit… that we will ask Him to give us opportunities and open doors to serve others with pure hearts and motives. And in simply being ourselves, I pray that God would bless us and be glorified.
Are you a humble servant?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label Christian spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian spirit. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 19, 2011
Luke 9:46-48
They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of ours posted a video on Facebook of her 18-month-old daughter dancing. As the little toddler gave it all she had, her mom coached her… “You go, girl! Whooo… get down, sista!” And the baby did just that. She danced her heart out and shook, stomped, waved and spun with wild abandon. Her spirit for dancing was HUGE… larger than many adults several times her size could muster.
Children bring such an enthusiasm to much of what they attempt. They often fail to recognize their small stature and “go for the gusto” in whatever they try to accomplish. Think of the small toddler who picks up something as large as he/she is and tries to carry it. The older we get, the more stifled we become, it seems… the more uptight, insecure, and inhibited… and all aspects of our life are affected by this – especially our Spirituality.
Jesus wants us to celebrate and serve Him like the dancing toddler… with all-out abandon, complete spirit, enthusiasm and eagerness. He wants us to pick up things that seem far larger than our ability to carry them, confident that HE will make the difference! Jesus wants us to accept Him… believing that we can do all things with His strength. He doesn’t want us to assert ourselves because of our own greatness or place of honor beside Him, but rather because of His power in and through us.
Where do you fit in this picture? Are you jousting for “position” with Jesus, struggling to be mature, reserved and well-known among others as a “good Christian?” Or are you dancing with wild abandon… celebrating the Holy Spirit working in and through you… accepting Jesus and serving Him wherever He places you? The difference is huge…the size of your heart and your spirit matters… not your “position” as a Christian. When was the last time you danced for Jesus? C’mon, brothers and sistas… it’s time to get down!
©2011 Debbie Robus
They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of ours posted a video on Facebook of her 18-month-old daughter dancing. As the little toddler gave it all she had, her mom coached her… “You go, girl! Whooo… get down, sista!” And the baby did just that. She danced her heart out and shook, stomped, waved and spun with wild abandon. Her spirit for dancing was HUGE… larger than many adults several times her size could muster.
Children bring such an enthusiasm to much of what they attempt. They often fail to recognize their small stature and “go for the gusto” in whatever they try to accomplish. Think of the small toddler who picks up something as large as he/she is and tries to carry it. The older we get, the more stifled we become, it seems… the more uptight, insecure, and inhibited… and all aspects of our life are affected by this – especially our Spirituality.
Jesus wants us to celebrate and serve Him like the dancing toddler… with all-out abandon, complete spirit, enthusiasm and eagerness. He wants us to pick up things that seem far larger than our ability to carry them, confident that HE will make the difference! Jesus wants us to accept Him… believing that we can do all things with His strength. He doesn’t want us to assert ourselves because of our own greatness or place of honor beside Him, but rather because of His power in and through us.
Where do you fit in this picture? Are you jousting for “position” with Jesus, struggling to be mature, reserved and well-known among others as a “good Christian?” Or are you dancing with wild abandon… celebrating the Holy Spirit working in and through you… accepting Jesus and serving Him wherever He places you? The difference is huge…the size of your heart and your spirit matters… not your “position” as a Christian. When was the last time you danced for Jesus? C’mon, brothers and sistas… it’s time to get down!
©2011 Debbie Robus
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