Luke 9:23
Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to
follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his
cross with him every day and keep close to me!
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A few days ago, I
vacuumed the floors. Allow me to explain why this is worth noting.
Vacuuming floors had been on my “to-do” list for several days. Things
kept coming up that were more important – or more enjoyable – than
vacuuming floors. I should wait until after I did laundry and finished a
sewing project, because there would be lint and dust and all of those
tiny little threads all over the floors! Then I needed to attend a
funeral, so there was no time – the floors could wait another day! And
then I decided that I should wait again and do the floors closer to time
for our young niece and nephews to visit, so that they would have a
nice clean playing surface (and yes, I do know that once the children
visit, the floors need another vacuuming!)
It gets to be a vicious cycle sometimes…and at some point I have to say, “Okay…this is it!
Today, I vacuum!” Maybe you can relate to this silly analogy…but even
if you cannot, consider this…we make up all sorts of excuses about
following Jesus that are just as silly in the scheme of things.
It’s
not convenient…or what He is asking us to do is “outside our comfort
zone.” We tell Him, “I’ll do this…tomorrow!” And tomorrow never
comes. We straddle the fence in the presence of our peers…makes no sense to express
a different opinion and risk alienating them! We go along with the
crowd six ways to Sunday. We fall down, mess up, and promise to do
better next time…but then we turn right around and repeat our mistakes.
If you go back in Luke 9, some earlier verses talk about our desire to control things vs. God’s. In The Message
translation, it even says “Anyone who intends to come with me has to
let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am.” But we don’t want
to hear this…we want to “drive” and be in full control. As my cousin
Natalie says…we want to tell God how to do things, because we think our
way is so much better. Luke reminds us in this passage that this is
clearly not the case!
So while it really doesn’t make that much
difference which day I vacuum…or if I choose not to for a few days
longer than I ought…it does matter when we ignore God. We cannot claim
to be Christ’s disciple and then insist on “driving the car.” It simply
does not work that way...and if we are arrogant enough to insist that
it does, we’ve as much as said, “Lie down in the seat, LORD, so no one
will see that You are with me!” (Remember when you tried to pull that
with your mom? You SURELY didn’t want her to sit right next to you in
case you needed any sudden assistance!)
When we act embarrassed
by Jesus…or insist on having control, we blow it – big time…and Jesus
makes note. It’s not so much that we will be “punished” in some way for
this as much as it’s the fact that this is disrespectful…hurtful…and
downright unbecoming of Christian disciples. We should want Jesus by our side. We should crave
His wisdom and guidance. We should seek His answers and attention at
every turn, simply because of Who He is and what He has done – and does –
for us.
The question of the day is…”How are you treating Jesus –
and your relationship with Him?” Whose desires and conveniences are
top priority – His, or your own? Your answer matters greatly. Isn’t it
time you figured out Who should drive…and let Him? Will this be the day
that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label setting aside our desires to serve God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label setting aside our desires to serve God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 5, 2014
Luke 2:1-5
About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
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.
I’m not making this up…Google the phrase “hissy fit” and you will find links to all sorts of websites – including retail outlets for products that say, “Never underestimate the power of a hissy fit!” Apparently, a lot of people think this is a viable strategy!
According to info at JesusTrail.com*, Mary and Joseph probably traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in a caravan with other travelers. There was a shorter, but more treacherous route…and a longer, flatter trek along the Jordan River Valley. We don’t know which one Mary and Joseph selected, but either way, the journey of almost 100 miles would have taken the couple 8-10 days on foot and donkey. I cannot imagine that they weren’t both more than a little nervous and apprehensive.
Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. The ruler had ordered all people to register for the census in their birth city. And if we are learning anything at all about Joseph and Mary, we must certainly agree that they were obedient people. They respected the law of the land – whether they agreed with it or not. Both Joseph and Mary also respected God’s authority. Surely it was not their choice to be in this predicament, but a series of events had placed them here…on this road…in these conditions. And they accepted their assignment(s) and trusted God to handle the details. Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that either Mary or Joseph threw a “hissy fit”!
Do you see the lesson here for each of us? We are often called to do things that we don’t want to do. We are presented with a challenge and/or an obstacle and have to figure out how to make everything work. And more often than we even realize, we have to trust God to pull all of the details together and orchestrate an outcome. Sometimes we kick and stomp and throw a little “hissy fit”…and hope against hope that it actually works! But deep down, I think that we all know better! And certainly, the Bible demonstrates to us via many examples that this is not a viable option!
There will be a lot of times when we are called to do something that we don’t want to do…something difficult, or unpleasant…something that certainly is not our choice. But when we know in our heart that this is the right thing to do…we have to “hitch up our britches” and get on with it…and proceed with the confidence that God is right there with us every step of the way. It’s a tall order that requires incredible faith and conviction.
A “hissy fit” may make you feel better for the moment. But at best, it’s a short-term solution. Learn from Joseph and Mary, and “get on your donkey and head for Bethlehem”! God will handle the details – and reward your faithfulness. The message of Christmas is about so much more than the birth of our Savior. It’s also about obedience, trust and confidence in our discipleship. How well are you demonstrating these traits in your Christian walk?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://jesustrail.com/blog/hiking-the-nativity-trail-from-nazareth-to-Bethlehem
About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
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.
I’m not making this up…Google the phrase “hissy fit” and you will find links to all sorts of websites – including retail outlets for products that say, “Never underestimate the power of a hissy fit!” Apparently, a lot of people think this is a viable strategy!
According to info at JesusTrail.com*, Mary and Joseph probably traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in a caravan with other travelers. There was a shorter, but more treacherous route…and a longer, flatter trek along the Jordan River Valley. We don’t know which one Mary and Joseph selected, but either way, the journey of almost 100 miles would have taken the couple 8-10 days on foot and donkey. I cannot imagine that they weren’t both more than a little nervous and apprehensive.
Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. The ruler had ordered all people to register for the census in their birth city. And if we are learning anything at all about Joseph and Mary, we must certainly agree that they were obedient people. They respected the law of the land – whether they agreed with it or not. Both Joseph and Mary also respected God’s authority. Surely it was not their choice to be in this predicament, but a series of events had placed them here…on this road…in these conditions. And they accepted their assignment(s) and trusted God to handle the details. Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that either Mary or Joseph threw a “hissy fit”!
Do you see the lesson here for each of us? We are often called to do things that we don’t want to do. We are presented with a challenge and/or an obstacle and have to figure out how to make everything work. And more often than we even realize, we have to trust God to pull all of the details together and orchestrate an outcome. Sometimes we kick and stomp and throw a little “hissy fit”…and hope against hope that it actually works! But deep down, I think that we all know better! And certainly, the Bible demonstrates to us via many examples that this is not a viable option!
There will be a lot of times when we are called to do something that we don’t want to do…something difficult, or unpleasant…something that certainly is not our choice. But when we know in our heart that this is the right thing to do…we have to “hitch up our britches” and get on with it…and proceed with the confidence that God is right there with us every step of the way. It’s a tall order that requires incredible faith and conviction.
A “hissy fit” may make you feel better for the moment. But at best, it’s a short-term solution. Learn from Joseph and Mary, and “get on your donkey and head for Bethlehem”! God will handle the details – and reward your faithfulness. The message of Christmas is about so much more than the birth of our Savior. It’s also about obedience, trust and confidence in our discipleship. How well are you demonstrating these traits in your Christian walk?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://jesustrail.com/blog/hiking-the-nativity-trail-from-nazareth-to-Bethlehem
Daily Devotional for June 19, 2014
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
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.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
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.
We’re all aware of the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Such was the case in 1959, when then 14-year-old Linda Balough was working a shift in a small franchised shoe store in Owensboro, Kentucky. She recalled this day for the June 2014 issue of AARP Bulletin. One Saturday during a local tobacco market, a disheveled, rather dirty family of five came into the Kentucky shoe store where Linda worked, and none of the employees would wait on them. Linda was operating the cash register and noticed that her colleagues looked the other way. One of them actually said to her that this family smelled of coal and had on clothing that indicated that they would not purchase anything, and that serving them would be a total waste of time. So Linda grabbed her foot-measuring device and approached the mother of the family – and asked her shoe size.
The family ended up purchasing 10 pair of shoes. The father explained that this was the time of year when he and his family brought their tobacco to sell at market…and they outfitted everyone with shoes for the entire year. He thanked Linda for being so respectful and helpful. As it turns out…this was one of the store’s largest sales - of.the.year!
Timing is everything. There are times when we should be bold…and times when we need to take a step backward. There are times when we need to rest…and times when we need to get the work done, no matter how tired we may be. There are times when we are busy and cannot drop what we are doing…and times when we need to totally change course – or our preconceived notions about a person or situation – and meet that immediate need.
Jesus knew that His disciples were tired and needed a break. I am sure He longed to get away with them for a while…to rest and hear their accounts of their ministries. But in the middle of all of this, Jesus noticed a group of people who needed Him. No doubt, some were dirty and disheveled. There were probably little kids and crying babies in the crowd, as well as rowdy teenagers and a few people who might have seemed like “unsavory characters” who were a “total waste of time”. I’m sure it was a noisy, chaotic scene as these people rushed to the beach. For whatever reason, they were coming to see Jesus…and He sensed the urgency in the needs of many of them. So Jesus stayed and ministered to the crowd…teaching, healing, and feeding bodies and souls.
Where have we put our own desires above the ministries of Jesus? Have we judged someone in an instant and deemed them unworthy of our time and attention – and missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love in the process? Are there times when we are so dead-set on doing what we want that we leave someone who is truly in need without an ally? Are our priorities just a little out of whack on many occasions?
There are times when it is important to say “No!”…to take time for ourselves…to focus on our own rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. But often, we choose this option selfishly…without giving any consideration to what God is showing us or where He is leading. Essentially, we say, “Not now, LORD…it’s MY turn,” or “LORD, surely you can’t mean for me to associate with this person or situation!” In both cases, we miss valuable opportunities for discipleship and ministry…and for the blessings that God has in store for us.
I am sure that the 14-year-old Kentucky girl who made one of the store’s largest sales of the year was delighted – and received accolades from management for her astute salesmanship. But the fact that Linda recounts this story with such clarity some 55 years later tells me that the impact on her life went far beyond dollars and cents - and a “job-well-done” pat on the back. This young girl saw people who were in need, and she dropped what she was doing – and any judgments – and met them right where they were.
Where do we need to open our eyes and ears to what God is calling us to do? Are we so in tune with His voice that we know when to rest…and when to get busy serving others in Jesus’ name? Are we blinded by judgment and our own selfishness…or do we able to discern when God calls us to action – and go? Isn’t it time we learned to tell the difference? What is God calling you to do today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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