I am a servant. The technical term for what I do now is "elder care provider" (I think), but really if we were back a few decades I'd be called a servant.
This really hit me today as I was prepping lunch for the couple I work with. I was thinking through what they would like and how I could make them comfortable when I realized that not only am I their servant, but God's.
As I have served in various capacities I have found that to truly bless my employer I look at what is happening and try to anticipate needs/desires, communicate with them frequently, continue to ask how I can help, and keep a humble attitude. And God's reminded me that this is what I need with him.
1. I am to learn his desires - i.e. reading the Bible. How am I supposed to know how to conduct my day, keep my thoughts and attitudes without a knowledge of his desire?
2. I am to communicate with him frequently - prayer! But here is where God is amazingly different from most employers. He not only wants me to let him know what is happening within the house (i.e. talk to him about the church and your family), he wants us to ask for what we want (Matthew 7:7)! But as we are learning his desires, will we really want to ask for things outside his will?
3. Continue to ask how I can help - are we actually seeking for God to keep our eyes open to those around us and how we can serve others? I probably fall REALLY short here. I get so focused on what is going on in my world that I fail to see those hurting and in need around me - a simple smile, thank you, or question to a friend could make all the difference.
4. Keep a humble attitude - as a servant we are not entitled to anything. This is where the modern thought of the employee/employer relationship breaks down. We are his children (Romans 8:16), but also his slaves (Romans 6:22). We must recognize that he can give and take away and still be praised (Job 1:21). We must maintain open hands for whatever he allows into our lives.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Gifts and Pride
Growing up I got caught up in that "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" mentality. One of the good things that came from it was that I started intentionally doing things for my future husband - specifically, writing him notes at various times and keeping them in a journal to give to him (and I'm excited to be able to give this to him.)
With that in mind, I decided to read the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian as a wedding gift to him. I figure with Magnus' high regard for prayer, what better way to prepare for marriage then to learn to pray for him more effectively?
What I've learned through the first chapter of the book is it isn't really a gift for him, or not in the way I expected. Honestly, it's convicting me. You see, the intro and first chapter of the book relates to the pride we woman often feel in coming in prayer for our husbands (not married yet, but I can relate). We want to change him so he will do what we want. But prayer (and relationship) is not about that. It's about submitting to God, bringing our requests to him, but ultimately surrendering our control to God.
That's where it comes back to my pride. You see, I have so often taken pride in these things I have done or am doing. I can get quite arrogant about how great these things are and forget this simple truth - I need changing, my perspective needs to be realigned, as does my heart.
So as I continue in this journey in learning to pray for Magnus, I think the ultimate gift in this will be learning how much I need God to change me and my perspective. And isn't submitting oneself fully to God and maintaining the proper perspective the best gift for everyone you come in contact with?
With that in mind, I decided to read the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian as a wedding gift to him. I figure with Magnus' high regard for prayer, what better way to prepare for marriage then to learn to pray for him more effectively?
What I've learned through the first chapter of the book is it isn't really a gift for him, or not in the way I expected. Honestly, it's convicting me. You see, the intro and first chapter of the book relates to the pride we woman often feel in coming in prayer for our husbands (not married yet, but I can relate). We want to change him so he will do what we want. But prayer (and relationship) is not about that. It's about submitting to God, bringing our requests to him, but ultimately surrendering our control to God.
That's where it comes back to my pride. You see, I have so often taken pride in these things I have done or am doing. I can get quite arrogant about how great these things are and forget this simple truth - I need changing, my perspective needs to be realigned, as does my heart.
So as I continue in this journey in learning to pray for Magnus, I think the ultimate gift in this will be learning how much I need God to change me and my perspective. And isn't submitting oneself fully to God and maintaining the proper perspective the best gift for everyone you come in contact with?
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Content with Weakness?
I have recognized a hard fact: I idolize "ideal" circumstances. I expect if there was just that "one more thing" then I'd be ok. This has recently came to my attention primarily in regards to how I handle my back pain. It can also be called contentment. Last year, I dealt with the issue of contentment in singleness (see blog), yet the issue of contentment continues to surface.
You see, when my back pain starts I tend to have a really bad attitude. That's to be expected as I'm in pain, right? But the hard thing now, in my relationship with Magnus is that I tend to take it out on him. My temper is a little shorter, I'm more demanding, less appreciative. Basically, sin rears it's ugly face.
God's started to sift that out of me. As I've struggled with my back (and my attitude) I realized quite definitively that I am NOT ok with this back pain. Not that one needs to be ok with pain in the world, but as God has worked on my heart he has shown that I am holding onto bitterness against him, a sense of entitlement to health, and a belief that if I just "do the right thing" then it will be ok. Proceeding through some of these thoughts is ok, but not being stuck in them. And that's where I am.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul records his struggle in talking with God about his own weakness, ending the section saying "I am content with weakness" (vs. 10). I want to be able to say that, but I'm not there yet. I want to be better, I want to be healthy, yet God has been reminding me of this verse, this truth, and asking me - can you be content?
So I will fight, submit, and seek God. As I said, I'm not there yet in this issue. But that's ok - our God is bigger and he has promised to bring me to completion (Phil 1:6) through the power of Christ in me (Gal. 2:20).
You see, when my back pain starts I tend to have a really bad attitude. That's to be expected as I'm in pain, right? But the hard thing now, in my relationship with Magnus is that I tend to take it out on him. My temper is a little shorter, I'm more demanding, less appreciative. Basically, sin rears it's ugly face.
God's started to sift that out of me. As I've struggled with my back (and my attitude) I realized quite definitively that I am NOT ok with this back pain. Not that one needs to be ok with pain in the world, but as God has worked on my heart he has shown that I am holding onto bitterness against him, a sense of entitlement to health, and a belief that if I just "do the right thing" then it will be ok. Proceeding through some of these thoughts is ok, but not being stuck in them. And that's where I am.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul records his struggle in talking with God about his own weakness, ending the section saying "I am content with weakness" (vs. 10). I want to be able to say that, but I'm not there yet. I want to be better, I want to be healthy, yet God has been reminding me of this verse, this truth, and asking me - can you be content?
So I will fight, submit, and seek God. As I said, I'm not there yet in this issue. But that's ok - our God is bigger and he has promised to bring me to completion (Phil 1:6) through the power of Christ in me (Gal. 2:20).
Friday, June 15, 2012
Perspective
I've gotten caught up in wedding stuff. (As a side note, I'm glad the wedding is a bit off so I can also work on marriage stuff.) In the midst of the wedding stuff there has come a situation where I feel helpless, out of control, and frustrated. Anger has built up over the situation and it's challenged me so much as I come before God with the bitterness. Not fun, especially associated with the wedding!
Sunday I went out for a walk and God gave me perspective. He showed me that my feeling so trapped and powerless simply is not so - God has given me the power and resources to change the situation... but he's also given me the power to choose to submit and surrender control.
The anger dissipated, the bitterness started to melt. It amazes me how a simple change in perspective regarding our situations provides freedom and hope. It amazes me how the God of the universe provides us with that perspective through his word, other believers, and prayer.
He doesn't always change our every situations, but he gives us the grace, perspective, and power through the Holy Spirit to walk through them and love and live as Christ would - to have freedom in even the hardest situation and to encounter them with love, grace, peace, and hope.
Sunday I went out for a walk and God gave me perspective. He showed me that my feeling so trapped and powerless simply is not so - God has given me the power and resources to change the situation... but he's also given me the power to choose to submit and surrender control.
The anger dissipated, the bitterness started to melt. It amazes me how a simple change in perspective regarding our situations provides freedom and hope. It amazes me how the God of the universe provides us with that perspective through his word, other believers, and prayer.
He doesn't always change our every situations, but he gives us the grace, perspective, and power through the Holy Spirit to walk through them and love and live as Christ would - to have freedom in even the hardest situation and to encounter them with love, grace, peace, and hope.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
My Own Smell
A few weeks ago I realized I was running out of body lotion and went to the store and picked up more. Since doing so Magnus has commented that I no longer smell "like Rachel."
I finally put two and two together and realized that I picked up a different lotion, one that was on sale, without given a second thought to how it smelled. Yet Magnus noticed (today we finally bought some of the old stuff so I would smell the same).
It's funny how, when in a relationship, those little things come up. Not that it's selfish or wrong to pick out my own body lotion, but it's just amazing to me how my little decisions impact Magnus. It reminds me again of Philippians 2:3-4 which states we need to "in humility consider others."
Even in my little decisions, by God's grace, I need to learn to consider others (and it will often be Magnus). As a single, I thought I did well considering others. As an engaged woman, I know I do poorly. How much more we have to learn to "do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility consider others." I think that will be a huge learning point in marriage... and for the rest of my life.
I finally put two and two together and realized that I picked up a different lotion, one that was on sale, without given a second thought to how it smelled. Yet Magnus noticed (today we finally bought some of the old stuff so I would smell the same).
It's funny how, when in a relationship, those little things come up. Not that it's selfish or wrong to pick out my own body lotion, but it's just amazing to me how my little decisions impact Magnus. It reminds me again of Philippians 2:3-4 which states we need to "in humility consider others."
Even in my little decisions, by God's grace, I need to learn to consider others (and it will often be Magnus). As a single, I thought I did well considering others. As an engaged woman, I know I do poorly. How much more we have to learn to "do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility consider others." I think that will be a huge learning point in marriage... and for the rest of my life.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Not Yet
The kingdom of heaven has been described as "already/not yet." Already because Christ has won the ultimate victory and as Christians we have power over sin and God can use us to advance his kingdom here on earth. The "not yet" portion relates to the fact that the full power, the full expression of the kingdom - where sickness is totally destroyed, where sin has no power - has not been fully ushered in.
I was reminded of the "not yet" aspect today and the pain that can bring. Being around an elderly couple seems to do that to me - remind me of the truth that we are not in heaven. Right now, we do not have the ultimate victory.
They are so close - so close to heaven, so close to their true home. They are waiting with patience until God sees the time right. He still has things to teach them (and me) through this time. Yet as they wait, they wait with hope and peace. Not concerned (except maybe about being troublesome to others).
They are not yet home, yet already display what will be so evident when they are - peace, joy, kindness and love. May we be reminded that we are not yet home, yet through Christ already have the power to live our lives as if we are.
I was reminded of the "not yet" aspect today and the pain that can bring. Being around an elderly couple seems to do that to me - remind me of the truth that we are not in heaven. Right now, we do not have the ultimate victory.
They are so close - so close to heaven, so close to their true home. They are waiting with patience until God sees the time right. He still has things to teach them (and me) through this time. Yet as they wait, they wait with hope and peace. Not concerned (except maybe about being troublesome to others).
They are not yet home, yet already display what will be so evident when they are - peace, joy, kindness and love. May we be reminded that we are not yet home, yet through Christ already have the power to live our lives as if we are.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
The Struggle to be Disciplined
Writing is a challenge for me right now. Usually, I am full of ideas and ready to sit down every few days to type something up. But not now. Now, I stare at the page and wonder what - if anything - I have to write that may be worth reading. (The calvinist in me thinks that nothing I have to write would be God honoring, but that's probably over analyzing it.)
Regardless, you come to a point where you have to consider the discipline involved to maintain activities. In swimming, it was clear - no one LIKES 4:45am practices, but you did them because you wanted to get better at swim meets. No matter how you FELT, you persevered.
So why not with writing - or with other spiritual disciplines? Paul chose to "press on" (Phil. 3:12) to receive the prize. Why don't we consider this in spiritual and emotional aspects of my life? If God has called us, we must not grow weary, but seek him - even when we may not feel like it.
It is easy to be discouraged and want to give up. That's ok. Giving up, however, is not an option. Whether God has called you to wait for directions or run fast - we need to obey. We need to make sure we are seeking to be sensitive to his Spirit, have wise counsel, and press on.
When discouraged, downtrodden, or ready to give up we should "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1b-2)
Regardless, you come to a point where you have to consider the discipline involved to maintain activities. In swimming, it was clear - no one LIKES 4:45am practices, but you did them because you wanted to get better at swim meets. No matter how you FELT, you persevered.
So why not with writing - or with other spiritual disciplines? Paul chose to "press on" (Phil. 3:12) to receive the prize. Why don't we consider this in spiritual and emotional aspects of my life? If God has called us, we must not grow weary, but seek him - even when we may not feel like it.
It is easy to be discouraged and want to give up. That's ok. Giving up, however, is not an option. Whether God has called you to wait for directions or run fast - we need to obey. We need to make sure we are seeking to be sensitive to his Spirit, have wise counsel, and press on.
When discouraged, downtrodden, or ready to give up we should "lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1b-2)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)