Servant Heart, Servant Hands

The word servant is not very well liked in our society.  It implies that you are subservient to someone else.  The title implies you are weak and unable to know your own mind.  That you are bound to another and have no freedom. 

Being a servant of Christ is very different to the world's negative portrayal of the life.

Bound to God
We are grafted into God's own family when you know Jesus.  When we believe in Jesus we are a new creation, we are bound by the Holy Spirit and are one in Christ.  Being a servant of Christ is all about freedom.  Freedom from death, freedom of heart, freedom of mind that is found in the truth.

Called to love each other
We are called as servants of Christ to love one another,with abounding love that can only come from God himself. If we try to love in our own strength, we will soon fall flat.  Only God's love can change lives, encourage and lift others up.  We are called to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ.

but more than that...

We are called to love those who hate us, who harm us, turn their backs on us, talk about us behind our backs, and disregard us for our faith. This kind of love is impossible unless you know God.  Only God can give you this love that flies in the face of all this world teaches, and tears down the barriers that harbour hate and unforgiveness. 

Free To Love God
We are servants to God, and it delights me to shout it from the rooftops.  The relationship between God and his people that was destroyed in the Garden of Eden, is now restored in even greater measure.  We are free to love our God.

I am well aware of how others view my faith in God.  Many believe that God is a crutch that the weak need to get through life, that He is a 'fairytale' that helps me get through the hard times.   I am aware that they scoff at God and my faith in Him.  It matters not.

I am not here to change the hearts and minds of those that pass my way.  I am here to be a servant to the One who has given me life eternal and live in His ways, so that a glimmer of His light may be seen in a world that grows increasingly full of ourselves, our wants and needs.  That Christ may be seen, His desire to love unconditionally, to save, to heal, to embrace, as the only true alternative to a life of uncertainty.  For God is the only constant in the world in which we live.  All else may pass away, but His kingdom will endure forever.

Come daughter, lay your life down and do not take it up again.  Rise  and serve those around you in love.  Live in truth and blessing.  Live one day at a time, looking only to me.  I am searching the hearts of my people looking for servants hearts and hands, that will follow my leading.  When you love the unlovable all of Heaven shouts with joy.  It is in love that our victory is complete. LOVE NEVER FAILS.

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Cor 13:4-7)

Where will our world. communities, and families end up if we don't show love? 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them...(Mt 9:36)

This post was inspired by reading  the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, very powerful and thought provoking fiction.