[Before reading the rest of this blog post, please read the following scriptures: Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 37:4 & 5.]
In the recent past, I had taken on the attitude of, "If You bless me, then I'll serve You" towards God. Who am I to give God an ultimatum? Why would I even? But, I have.
"It's not wrong to ask God for things, but too often we're so intent on what the Lord can do for us, that we forget about what we can do for Him. We must remember to ask God, "What can I do for You?" - Lynette Hagin
It's easy for humans to lead a life that is led by our own heart and desires. It takes humility and strength to seek out the Lord's desire for my day, week, and life. It also takes strength to seek God in the seasons where He's not blessing me. God made me to serve Him, not myself (Colossians 1:16). That means I shouldn't go a day without finding out what it is exactly He needs from me. Just as all servants have tasks they are called to do, as a servant of Christ I am no different. Something that I've started doing again is on a daily basis asking God to guide me to what I need to be doing. Anytime I've made this shift, I've quickly noticed a positive difference within my walk.
One thing I remind myself of is that I am a servant of God, it is not the other way around. Being servant minded means a few things:
1. I must remember that at all times I am called to love people. Yes, even when I am wronged. (That's not to say people can't be in the wrong, it's just to say that I have to make sure that I stay in the right heart space, regardless of what someone else is doing or has done.)
(This is also not to say that you can't feel the hurt that comes from being wronged, because God truly does care about how you feel. Just understand that you can't stay in those emotions and let them taint your heart. Take your hurt to God and give it over to him in prayer.)
* "...and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32
2. I must remember that I am called to pray for people, especially my enemies. (I find this to be one of the toughest, but most satisfying and freeing, commands.)
* "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you." - Luke 6:28
3. I must remember that God may ask me to do something that is outside of my comfort zone, and when He does I need to obey.
* "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55: 8 & 9
4. I must remember to give God my first fruits, and put Him first. (To me this means giving Him the first fruit of my day, or giving Him the first fruit of any money that I've made. This also means making sure that seeking God is a top priority in my life. I do this so that I can honor Him.)
* "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3:6
5. I must remember that there are activities and lifestyles that I can't be apart of if I want to keep my walk with the Lord intact. (This means listening to music that goes directly against what God tells me to, watching shows that plant harmful seeds in my heart, etc.)
* "Don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?" - James 4:4
Of course there are plenty of other things the Lord calls me to do that are equally as important, but I believe that the above reminders cover the bulk of what I'm called to do on a daily, consistent basis. By reminding myself that the above tasks are my rightful service to the Lord, it causes me to do them all with a willing heart. Are there any differences in your walk that you've seen after doing the reminders above? If so, comment them below!