To What are We Servants?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:27 pm Post subject: To What are We Servants?

But Zion said, â€œThe LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.â€ Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:14-15)

As we face the challenges and trials of our life, we may wonder, why must I face this sadness, why must if face this despair, why am I not able to succeed in this endeavor, why must I face this tragedy, why has God forsaken me? We sometimes make the assumption that because we face challenge that God is not with us. We must understand, though, that which we face tests us, defines us; but God is always with us. We are His creation, His children; He will never forget us.

We must remember, though, God is not here to serve us, we are here to serve Him. Through prayer, we may ask of Him for that which we need, but He already knows what we truly need and when we need it. It is not ours to judge beyond that which we must do for ourselves, that which we should do for others, that which is within our power to perform the will of God.

Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

It is not ours to sit in the place of God for the judgment of what others should do, for we must first be concerned about our own path. Nor should we be concerned with those who may seek to judge us when we walk in the way of the Lord, for while they may affect what happens to us in this world, it matters not beyond this time. The judgment which matters and will come for all is the judgment by God. The judgment of our Lord is not what we shall or shall not receive in this world, but our destiny beyond this world; therefore, our concern must be not which will give us position in this world, but what will give us place in the next.

No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, â€œWhat are we to eat?â€ or â€œWhat are we to drink?â€ or â€œWhat are we to wear?â€ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. (Matthew 6:24-34)

We have needs for our existence and we must work to provide for those needs, but there is a difference between our needs and our desires. The commandments we receive are the commandments to love God and one another. We cannot fulfill these commandments if we seek first that which we do not need over that which feeds our soul. If our worry is for material desires, we may gain personal wealth, but at what expense will our pursuit cost our soul?

Our work must include the work which feeds the soul. Our work must seek to fulfill the will of God which is to care for the children of His creation. Jesus does not invite us to sit and do nothing for our existence, rather, He warns that we cannot devote ourselves to the position and wealth of this world without neglecting what will prepare us for the kingdom of God.

What purpose do we have if we only seek the wealth of this world; for all which we have, to include our very bodies, came from dust and to dust shall it return. Our purpose is found in the purpose which God has given us which is to live with and to care for one another; to share our gifts so that we all are fulfilled in the love of the Lord. If we seek to fulfill the will of God, God will fulfill us. If we are fulfilled in the Lord, for what else could we possibly ask?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier