Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Yesterday, in our study of Psalm 123 we looked at the basis for serving, which is grace.
Most people teach only half of grace. If you were to ask a person who had been involved in church a while the definition of grace, you might actually get "unmerited favor." Getting something that you don't deserve. Yes. It is getting something that you don't deserve.
As I understand it, though, it's actually got another part to it...the Greek word "charis" that is. Not only does it contain the reality of unmerited favor, but also lets us know the truth of "divine enablement."
So, we've gotten this great gift from God of unmerited favor, but we're also divinely enabled. We can do stuff for the One Who gave us the gift through His very own power.
The implication is that we're actually capable of doing stuff for the One Who gave us the gift. He gave us the gift and empowered us for SOME reason.
Can you imagine if I gave you the car you always wanted as a gift? Hopefully, you'd be very excited and all, and grateful, and hopefully, I'd give it to you with no strings attached on my end. It's just yours, to do with whatever you want.
And, you can want to just let it sit in the driveway. Just admire it, polish it, tell your friends about it...the whole works. Maybe even consider making it a collector's item.
I hope I'd be okay with you doing that, because I gave you the gift to do with whatever you wanted.
But, don't you think you'd be happier sitting in the seat, driving around, showing it to your friends, letting it take you where you need to go and all that? The car has a very practical function, and it would give you more joy using it for the reason it was created, too. That's joyful service. You're happy. I'm happy. Everybody's life is more abundant.
If you read Galatians 2: 18--20 from The Message: "If I was trying to be good, I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan. What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a 'law man' so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified completely with Him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I'm no longer driven to impress God."
So, when choosing to serve, if you're not enjoying it or having fun...
STOP. Just step down. Besides, if you stay, you're likely robbing someone who God showed unmerited favor and divine enablement to the chance to be serving joyfully.
And choose areas to serve that are ultimately joyful to you. Sure, all service opportunities have their drawbacks: If you've ever sat for two hours in dust storms in Juarez, or you've ever cleaned a grease trap in an industrial kitchen, or you've ever had to ask congregants to sponsor you team to walk in the afternoon...well, sure...they all have parts we don't like about them.
But the big picture proves joyful...then do it, and do it with abandon. Like driving the free car. Turn the music up loud and enjoy the ride and be thankful you get to use it.
Brent 4:01 AM
Comments:
Hey I guess Wes, Lizzie, and Jude are not considered even part of staff thats sad, I know Wes and Jude have a blog where are they??
Interestingly enough, neither Wes, Lizzie or Jude has expressed any desire to have their blog links on this page. The only way we link blogs is with permission of the authors. All they have to do is ask.
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