(James 1:25)
As Christians, our ultimate goal is to be
more like Jesus, living our lives to fulfill God's plan and purpose. The
general plan for each of us is to serve and glorify Him with our lives. Of
course, that is accomplished in a very specific way depending on how God
chooses to use us. The one clear example we can take from the brief
accounts of Jesus' earthly ministry found in the Gospels, is the way He
served others. He said of Himself, that He didn't come to be served, but to
be a servant. The quickest way to be like Jesus, the one sure way to know
you are in the center of God's perfect will, is by serving others.
Finding ways to serve others should be a daily goal we each have. That
service can be in many forms. Often it is just a kind word or being there
to help someone who is hurting and in need. Just as we make our time with
the Lord a priority each day, the time in prayer, reading the Word of God,
we also must make serving others part of our day-to-day life. I can tell
you that for those caught up in the trials of life, for those who are
fighting depression, financial problems, health issues, for those battling
with challenges in your marriage, with your kids, at school, on the job,
serving others, doing what Jesus did, is one part of your plan to overcome
those obstacles you are facing. Taking the focus off of yourself and
putting it on someone else is one of the quickest ways to find joy and
peace, even in the midst of the storm.
I love you and care about you so very much. Let me challenge you today to
prayerfully work each day on seeing a blessing to those who God brings
across your path each day. You may be the instrument He wants to use to
open someone's heart at a difficult time in their life. You do not know how
many people don't go to church, have no Christian influence, yet are hurting
and reaching out. That is why drugs, alcohol, gambling, illicit sex are so
prevalent. In many cases it is an escape form life's problems by people who
just don't know how else to cope. Of course it only makes their current
problems worse, but unless someone tells them there is a better way, how
will they know? God can use you each day to that someone. You don't need a
PHD in Theology, just a love for people, a desire to be used by God, a
willing vessel that He can use.
