Who Asked You to Serve?
“As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:38-42 WEB)
Jesus didn’t ask Martha to be busy serving Him with food. When we get into the mode of being all busy with ‘serving the Lord’, check whether it is Spirit-led activity or just self-efforts based on your mind’s assumption of what God wants from you?
Is what you’re so pre-occupied with really of God, or are you using God as an excuse to justify your fleshly efforts?
What is prompted by God will have two things: 1) you will have the desire to do it, 2) you will receive the power to do it as you act in faith on that desire.
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 WEB)
On top of that, what is from God will be confirmed with supernatural peace in your heart—even if it seems like something impossible or imposing to your logical mind.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 WEB)
If you’re constantly dreading what you’re doing to ‘serve the Lord’ and feel like it’s so difficult to do (like you’re laboring by self-effort alone) and there’s always unrest in your heart, then it’s not of God.
Maybe like Martha, you’re sincere about serving the Lord, but you misunderstood what He wants from you and have become distracted.
Perhaps you are even mistakenly serving to try and atone for past sins that you still feel condemned for, or to attempt to secure your spot in Heaven.
It’s okay, rest from the works of the flesh. Know that your born-again spirit is already perfect, holy and righteous in Christ—Jesus’ finished work at the cross paid it all.
Then, choose the good part that Mary chose. Sit at Jesus’ feet by continually receiving God’s word.
That’s the best thing to do when you don’t know what to do.
“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 WEB)
When you’re full of His word, you’ll be able to discern which intentions are from your flesh, and which are from God.
Learn to be a good receiver first and then you’ll be become a good server!
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