September 1, 2006
-
Serving others!
“Slave” is not a word most of us nowadays feel comfortable with. It is significant that most modern Bible translations use “servant” instead. For a slave is not his own, has no rights whatsoever, is not in charge of what happens to him, makes no choices about what he will do or how he is to serve, is not recognized, appreciated, thanked or even (except by his absence) noticed at all.
Once we give up our slavery to the world, which is a cruel master indeed, to become Christ’s bondslave, we live out our servitude to Him by glad service to others. This volunteer slavery cannot be taken advantage of–we have chosen to surrender everything for love. It is a wholly different thing from forced labor. It is in fact the purest joy when it is most unobserved, most unself-conscious, most simple, most freely offered.
Lord, break the chains that hold me to myself; free me to be your happy slave–that is, to be the happy foot-washer of anyone today who needs his feet washed, his supper cooked, his faults overlooked, his work commended, his failure forgiven, his griefs consoled, or his button sewed on. Let me not imagine that my love for You is very great if I am unwilling to do for a human being something very small.
Back to the Bible’s Elisabeth Elliot daily devotional.
Comments (10)
Amen.
I appreciated your post, and particularly liked the last paragraph.
We MUST do coffee and I will share what I am free to share!
)
The ever-mysterious
Mrs B
Have missed your blog while my computer was on the blink…good thoughts today
I posted about this on my blog some time ago, very similar conclusion. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cofeeiv/39981/
I have really been struggling with this concept lately! I have always considered myself a servant. But this last year in a new,small, way in the boonies, community, as the new pastors wife, where I feel like I serve, and serve, and serve, ( you get the picture) I’m starting to get burn out!! I’m working on the serving unconditionally!!
I love Elisabeth Elliot, she has such an amazing testiomony and her teaching is so down to earth so to speak
I have missed you, my friend…It seems my time on xanga has been limited. I have struggled to simply respond to the people who have left coments. However, you are not forgotten. In fact, the Holy Spirit impressed you upon my heart, so I am praying for you especially this night.
I so enjoyed your current entry (I am behind on your previous ones). I was taken back to a day several years ago as I was at my kitchen sink with a sponge in my hand. I was preparing for a lesson I was teaching to a group of ladies when I was suddenly inspired by that sponge and how it can be found in various stages–hardened and misshapened or dipping with water or moistened and wrung out and ready to be used. And so, I penned the following little poem which I laminated and hung with raffia around a sponge for each lady–
Lord, I don’t wish to be a sponge puffed up and dripping–
Leaving puddles where others are slipping;
Nor do I wish to be a sponge misshapened and dry–
Causing others to pass by and sigh;
But, Lord, I yearn to be a sponge filled and ready for use–
Placing myself in YOUR hands, never fearing abuse!
Thanks, dear sister, for your beautiful words of truth…How much I desire to ever remember them!
With much love and many prayers,
Paula
Georgene…your background is beautiful!!!!
xoxox Cat
RYC: What is her first name, please?