Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin"— they simply are! Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon— all of these simply are as well— yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf! So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, "Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me." In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38 )……. If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every minute you live — yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.
When I read this, I think it’s very easy for me to lean one of two ways – either I can spend lots of time thinking of ways to minister to others or I can continually doubt what my life is really capable of accomplishing and what possible influence or impact I’m making on the lives of those around me.
The truth is, when I think in either of those terms, it’s really all about me and I’m failing to nurture and acknowledge the very relationship from which all hope and good works flow out of. It’s no good for me to try to think of ministering to others apart from nurturing my relationship with Christ properly (whatever that means between Him and I). And there is no reason for me to lose hope when it seems that my life is meaningless - without influence or impact - because in Christ, we are not without hope and our lives are not meaningless!
I really needed to be reminded of this today. Wherever you are today and whatever you are doing, I hope you will be encouraged.
2 comments:
Thank you Janiners.. John 7:38 is my favourite verse.
Thanks for the focus reminder!
That was great!
Your post was (is) a significant thing.
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