Who's Serving Who?
I would say “I hope I’m not the only one” but in this case that phrase wouldn’t be any good because as comforting as it might seem to struggle in the same things with someone else, I don’t wish for anyone to be struggling with this. God called me out and I feel I need to share because I can assume somewhere someone else has gone through a similar revelation.
Be honest with me here, have you ever been going through your week/month/year whatever, and feel like you’re growing spiritually because you’re praying everyday? You’re in the Bible every morning or evening and you’re really pursuing your relationship with God, but then BAM! You’re hit with the question, “Who’s serving who?”
What I mean is, have you ever stopped and looked at your prayers or notes taken during your God time? Have you considered the current state of your relationship with God and thought, oh my God (not blasphemous, literally) my prayers are selfish! My notes are all about what I want God to do for me. My relationship is all take and no give. Because that is what God has revealed to me lately.
If you can relate to this, please listen to me, you are not a horrible Christian. You, me and everyone else have something we have messed up on. It’s not intentional, it’s very easy to slip into but what matters is when we catch it, what are we going to do to change it?
As God downloaded onto me where I am making my mistakes, I asked him to clarify and guide me through Scripture so that I might take note and be able to share what He has taught me through this time. He has been faithful, as He always is, and has given me a few verses and notes along with them to share with you.
1 Samuel 12:24
“ Only fear God and Serve Him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things He has done for you.”
Serve Him faithfully with all your heart - Pretty basic meaning there, SERVE GOD.
Consider what great things He has done for you - Don’t take advantage of Him.
He has done so much for us and continues to do so much for us because He loves us. Because we can’t make it through one day without Him doing something for us, let’s get real, we’re needy. It’s a fact that we need Him, but don’t take His love and kindness for granted. Serve Him with all of your heart, take part in the relationship and keep in mind that the King of Kings doesn’t serve us because He has to, He does it because He wants to. We should remain in the same mindset. We should long to do something meaningful, sacrificial and beautiful for the one that we desire who is Lord and Savior in our lives.
Suggested Application:
1-When you’re praying, maybe start by thanking God for all He has done for you and all He continues to do for you.
2-Show Him appreciation that is due to Him.
3-Then ask Him for clarity and guidance throughout your day as to how you may serve him.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
No one can serve two masters - Don’t compartmentalize God
You cannot serve God and money - Idolatry is anything that you serve more than the Father and can come in many forms such as money, technology, material items, etc. But one we don’t consider too often is ourselves.
I have put myself above the Lord before not meaning to but I did nonetheless and I had to check myself before I wrecked myself. When I got comfortable with expecting service from God because He is always faithful, I got lazy with my being faithful in return and because of that it was like I was saying, “God works for me.” I put myself too high up, in a seat where no one else belongs but God and that’s a dangerous place to be.
How often do we get comfortable knowing God will always serve us and we don’t put in the work to return that service? Have you ever put yourself above God? Are you doing that now? It’s time to take a step down with me and put in the work to our relationship with Christ that we have been neglecting.
What I mean by compartmentalizing God is, don’t make time to serve and bless Him on Sunday and then take a break on Monday. Don’t have your God time in the morning and then after you close your Bible move on to the next thing like you checked something off your list. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23 we are to work at everything as unto the Lord. What does that mean? That means that everything you do, if done with the right attitude is an act of worship (an act of service) unto God. It is a way of living, a continuous act that should come as natural as breathing.
Suggested Application:
Let’s play a game, this week whatever you do, track back what you are doing to Scripture and there you will see how and why you are serving the Lord.
(For example, I cleaned my apartment yesterday, which lines up with Corinthians 14:40. I had a workout this morning which I see is important in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. I spent time drawing this week, 1 Timothy 4:14.)
Malachi 3:18
“ Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.”
You shall see the distinction - Who you serve reflects who you are
This is pretty self explanatory. People can see a difference in you when you are committed to serving God and no other. Who you serve will show what kind of fruit you are going to bear, bitter or sweet. If you put something else above Him, you and others around you may not like the fruit you produce.
Suggested Application:
1-Take some time to fast from whatever is in your life that might be taking over where God should be. (Food, technology, social media, whatever it is for you.) Just take some time away from it.
2-When you start to long for it, pray or read the Bible instead. Pursue having God where He is meant to be in your life. You and those around you will see the difference!
So the challenge for both of us is from Colossians 3:25
“Whatever you do, do it heartily as for the Lord and not for men.”
Do it for the Lord and not for men - Worship Him in everything you do
What’s the difference? Whether it’s for the Lord or for men we’re still putting in work, right?
The difference is it is a delight to serve the Lord! It is fulfilling because you are working within your calling.
The difference if you serve man before God there is no fulfillment, no joy, no blessing.
But if you serve God first and then serve others you are fulfilled, you are joyous in your work and by blessing others in this way you are also blessing the Father!
Long story short, what is there to take away?
Keep yourself in check, be thankful for what He has done and serve the Lord ALWAYS in everything you do!
Be blessed and be fulfilled!