(photo courtesy: googleimages)
“I served the Lord
with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the
plots of my Jewish opponents.”- Acts 20:19
I was at a youth basketball game the other day. It is always
fun to watch young kids learning how to work as a team and understand basic
fundamentals of a sport. The kids played
with such excitement and energy running up and down the court. I was there to
lead a halftime devotional time, but found myself wanting to watch what was
happening on the court.
There was another dynamic I noticed on the court. Some kids
were flying all over the court and getting into healthy “scuffles” in order to
gain possession of the ball, then there were some kids who stayed back with
timidity. I found it interesting, the difference in confidence and the
influence those who were willing to get dinged up and a little rug burn had on
the game as opposed to those who stood back.
When Christ called His disciples, he led them to understand
His purpose and His power. Then, He sent them out to do the very work He began.
He didn’t ask them to see the work and chill out while He kept doing all the work.
He called them to get their hands dirty and possibly suffer some rug burn.
Living life with people can get messy. We live with them
through the hard times and the good times.
Christ walked in the midst of those
who were shunned and those who were honored. He lifted up those who had been
beaten down and those who were left to die. He taught His disciples to do the
same.
As we strive to be more Christ-like we need to be aware of
the fact that as we move toward Christ-likeness, it isn’t merely being humble
and loving people, but truly serving people where they are.
If we go out to find people where they are, in the midst of
their struggle and pain, we will get dirty. We will get some bumps and bruises.
There might even be some tears shed over loss or people turning from our words.
This is how we know we truly care for those we are living life with!
The struggle for us is: Are we willing to dive all in? Are
we willing to be flying in and getting marked up or are we going to stand back
in timidity watching others do the hard work?
It is risky, but that’s what it means for us to be serving
like Christ. Being Christ-like is a dangerous attribute to strive for, but it
is worth it. As we strive for it; we need to be ready for the level of
commitment it requires.
Following Christ is an all-in; diving on the floor; and
fighting with all your might to get that ball back from the enemy. It is not
for the timid. It will require teamwork and it will definitely demand for us to
get dirty!
Let’s play!
QUESTION: Do you find
yourself willing to serve wholeheartedly or timidly?
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