Daily Journal: 6 November

Getting Real

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. When it does, we’re happy, grateful, or maybe relieved.

People let us down. Circumstances don’t go our way. God does not always lead us the way we expect. We can often feel disappointed, even when we’re trying our best, doing what we think we should be doing.

Getting real about why we do things, about our motivation and attitude, helps us to reconcile our feelings with our trust in God.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)

Even if the fig tree does not blossom,

And there is no fruit on the vines,

If the yield of the olive fails,

And the fields produce no food,

Even if the flock disappears from the fold,

And there are no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will triumph in the Lord,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Of course, we want our lives to produce good fruit and we want to see increase and we want to be able to use our talents freely and fully. But when this just doesn’t happen despite our best efforts, getting real is bringing it all back to this one thing. Rejoice in the Lord (NASB says triumph, which I love) and serve others with gladness and a willing heart in whatever capacity is needed. At the end of the day, if we have our heart right and we’re looking to serve Him with what we have, God is responsible for what happens next.

Galatians 5:13-14 (GWT)

You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

Matthew 20:26-28 (TLB)

But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant. And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 25:37-40 (The Message)

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’