Today’s Reading: Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-62
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
IF YOU WANT TO SERVE GOD, YOU MUST STOP BEING SELFISH.
What great advice for the disciples and what great advice for us today. The disciples did not get this lesson the first time they heard it, just as we struggle to overcome our own selfish tendencies day after day. Why is it that we are in the habit of getting in our own way of fully surrendering to the Lord?
Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” – Luke 9:46-48
IF YOU WANT TO SERVE GOD, YOU MUST NOT THINK TOO HIGHLY OF YOURSELF.
Before you dismiss this thought too quickly, take time to allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of the last time you assessed someone before really getting to know them. We often judge others by their appearance or their financial situation or their family heritage. This mindset of considering ourselves to be better than other people can and will get in the way of us truly following Jesus.
John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” – Luke 9:49-50
We cannot pick and choose WHERE we go if we are sincerely following Jesus wherever He is at work.
We cannot pick and choose WHO we minister to if we are sincerely following Jesus to whomever He leads.
We cannot pick and choose WHAT we do if we are sincerely responding to what Jesus asks to do.
We cannot pick and choose WHEN we follow Jesus so that it only fits conveniently into our schedule.
IF YOU WANT TO SERVE GOD, IT MUST BE ON HIS TERMS.
As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
He said to another person, “Come follow me.”
The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my family.”
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:57-62
Yes, but first. Has that ever been your response to God’s instructions? Why is it that we are willing to do what God asked us to do, but in our own time within our own parameters?
Today is a great day to stop and do a heart check. Am I willing to love, to serve, to go, to lose? Am I truly following Jesus wherever, whenever, to whomever? Is my heart prepared to say yes to the next thing God asks me to do? No strings attached, no boundaries to my obedience. If I want to be a follower of Christ, I need to stop thinking too highly of myself and my own plan; I must be ready to serve God on His terms.
Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal in me today any selfishness or pride. I pray that I will recognize the moments when I think too highly of myself or put my own comfort ahead of the needs of others. I long for complete surrender so that I will joyfully follow you wherever you may lead — to whomever you may lead. Align my heart with yours so that I desire what you desire, freeing my heart to be fully available to you today. Amen.