A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

I want to be famous in God's eyes. In order to do that Jesus said - "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35). Therefore, my prayers should be fashioned around requesting God for - a better character, confidence, attitude, and lifestyle that would fit being "servant to all". Servant-hood, or putting others before yourself can be as simple as consideration or as serious as a life-sacrifice. In either situation and all points in between, swallowing this Pill of You First, Then Me goes against my wiring. God is trying to re-wire me in this area.

It is not that I do not have compassion for people. It is not that I do not serve. I have compassion and serve, but usually at the prompting of a leader. A true leader is a servant of God and of people. He/she comes alongside them and God to aid in fulfilling God's plan for everyone involved. A leader has a listening spirit toward God and toward people. A leader finds new ways of serving. A true leader balances following and serving God while loving and serving people.

In the past I have asked God to show me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so forth and He does in a number of ways. However, above-and-beyond showing His care in these areas God also instructs me that these Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) should be my goals. This reminds me of David's heart-cry - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10). My perception gets knocked off track and I start acting like a baby sometimes wanting my way and my way now. Even if the things I ask for seem to be good and beneficial, the key is requesting His will and declaring His promises into and over my life and I do not do that enough. Thank God He is Faithful even when I am not.

My perception, my request, my prayers have got to shift. The nature of God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), but mine is not. I am a new creature in Christ but my old nature keeps wanting it's desires. God has given us the best teachings to follow (Bible), the best example to mimic (Jesus), and the best tool to produce fruit (Holy Spirit). It is my asking, seeking, and knocking that has to take a more submissive and useful form. How else can I become a more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled man of God? Did you know in the next verse of Galatians 5 Paul writes - Against such things there is no law. (v.23)? Seeing there are no laws against such things - I will endeavor to pray for a change into more of a leader in each area so that I might be a better help to all and A Good And Faithful Servant to God (Matthew 25:21).