"Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve. Paul said that he knew how to be a “doormat” without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus. We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow." - Oswald Chambers
My delight is in Christ.
My hope is in Christ.
My service can be poured out to those around me.
My family.
My friends.
My enemies.
My neighbors.
Praise be to God.
What are my goals today?
Laundry.
Dinner.
Exercise.
Listen to lectures.
What are my spiritual goals?
How can I be of service to someone today?
Sometimes this is a hard thought because I feel "stuck" at home and cut-off from others. I see my world of service as very narrow on a day-to-day basis. Yet, right behind me at his little table is my little son. He deserves my service. He deserves that I be poured out to him. My husband, my 8-mon. old, and my 2-year old. They all deserve me - to give myself to them, I must first draw from the well that is found in Christ - read His Word - commune with Him through prayer. Then, I may empty myself completely (without resentment) to them. The "without resentment" is also a point of interest. I resent that I must be poured out. I do it most days begrudgingly. Yet - I am called to be a cheerful giver. No more resentment or doing it out of "duty" - the key is found in Paul's life. Paul was so in love with Christ - that it was a desire for him to be poured out for Christ. May I not focus on the pouring out - but on my Christ who will supply all my needs.
Thank you Sarah, It is hard to be resentfull when you love what you do or love who you serve. Be Blessed today.
ReplyDeleteAs I read Oswald today this message always takes me back to what François Fenelon the Archbishop of Cambria said in the 17th century. He was the spiritual advisor to Louie the 14th. He said this in a letter to the King about surrender. There is more in the letter but this is the main point.
Let me tell you what real surrender is. It is simply resting in the love of the Lord, as a little baby rests in his mother arms. A perfect surrender must even be willing to quit surrendering, if that is what the Lord wants. We renounce ourselves, and yet, God never lets us know when it is complete. If we knew, it would no longer BE complete, for there is nothing that bolsters the ego quiet so much as knowing that it is fully surrendered.
Surrender consist, not in doing great, heroic deeds about which self can brag, but simply in accepting whatever God sends, and not seeking to change it. Surrender is the source of true peace.
I have noticed for myself that when I have completely surrendered. (At least when I think I have) I feel at peace. When I think I have surrendered something but I am restless about it and I don’t have peace, then I am still holding on to it. I don’t like that.
The more you look at what you are not; the less you become who you are!
Kevin Gwyn