Ephesians 6:5–9 ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.’ (vv7–8)
Living with our mind on God alone is challenging. Life offers a continuous struggle to make our voice heard, to establish our identity, and to win the respect of others. Yet Jesus had little time for reputation (Isa. 53:2–3). Today, with personality pursued as an end in itself, there’s a chance we might place our hope in human icons rather than life’s source – Jesus.
Following in His footsteps is complicated. We must address a number of competing emotions and self-perceptions that demand expression through our present persona. Yet, without God we are nothing and so our responsibility is first to lose ourselves and then to find our truest expression in God. A process accompanied by much personal angst.
I often introduce myself as a recovering church leader, one platform away from disaster. Having imbibed the powerful deceit that surrounds platform ministry, with its cut-price offering of personal significance and apparent success, I too easily lost sight of the fact that I was nothing more than a sinner saved by grace.
I encountered my human appetite for adulation in the mistaken conviction that it afforded fulfilment. I’ve learnt, and settled in my heart, that to know and be known by God is the richest relational experience I have ever known, and today can imagine nothing more enriching or satisfying. In Christ alone am I complete.
Scripture to consider: Gen. 1:26–31; 1 Sam. 16:1–13; 1 John 3:11–24; 2 Thess. 2:1–12.
An action to take: Are you complete in God, or are you searching for some missing element to enable you to be at rest and content?
A prayer to make: ‘Lord, may I discover that I am whole in You and rest content in Your love. Amen.’
Photo by Aramudi on Unsplash
