John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good,
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
We are often told that we ought to be serving God (Deuteronomy 11.13, Joshua 24.15, John 12.26, Hebrews 9.14). But, have you ever stopped to think how or why?
Think of a spring of water, gushing forth from the land. Then think of the stream that comes from the spring. What serves what?
The spring serves the stream in that it empowers the stream to be all it can be, all it is. Springs don’t need streams, do they? Streams do need springs, though.
The same is true for you and God; He doesn’t need you to serve Him (Acts 17.25), but you do need Him to be able to serve Him (Philippians 2.13), you see?
So how and why do we serve? We serve filled with all that He wants to bless us with. We serve because He has blessed us with so much.
We are the stream,
He is the spring.
Simply, we need Him to be able to serve otherwise we are left to pour out of our own resources and strength which, if we are honest, are very limited and superficial.
Today’s BIG prayer then is to understand and apply how and why we are serving.
Father, as you said through the words of your Son, you came to serve, not be served. We know that without the life-giving spring that you are, we will never be the abundant and glory-giving streams we can be.
Would you help me to see the truth in my service; that I can only do it when empowered by you and I should only do it to glorify you…full of you and for you.
James Travis 