Word of Encouragement (7/27/2021)
The prayer we are meditating on is, “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent...” (1 Tim. 1:12-13). Yesterday, we talked about why it is a privilege to serve Christ. One of the reasons is that simply on the side of the truth is immeasurably better than being on the side of ignorance and illusion, especially if we can help others to see the truth, which leads to eternal life. Today, we will see another reason: the glory of the One, whom we are called to serve.
It is natural for living beings to be drawn to life and pleasure: self-preservation is the most basic instinct; pleasure is one of the most powerful motivators. As human beings, we are also drawn to things that are beautiful, noble, glorious, etc. Why do we travel? Because we want to see beautiful and exotic landscapes, architectural wonders, and famous works of art and have memorable experiences. We get deeply moved when we listen to beautiful music, or read an inspiring story, or watch a skillful performance. When we see something valuable, we want to get it and make it our own. We want to get to know successful people, get associated with powerful people, and get close to attractive people. We love to drop names to boast of what kind of important people we know. We delight in sharing our interesting experiences that others have not had. The next best thing to be famous and powerful and successful people ourselves is being friends with them, it seems like.
We all admit that we shouldn’t be selfish. Nobody likes selfish people. Maybe, deep inside, even selfish people don’t like themselves. So then, we should live in service of others. If so, one of the greatest blessings and privileges of life is to find someone worthy of our service. Maybe each of us is like a candle: the purpose of our lives is not to bring attention to ourselves but to bring light to the space around us. How sad it would be if we burn ourselves all night so criminals can plan their evil schemes! But how rewarding it would be if we brighten the room for a Bach or a Michelangelo or a Shakespeare!
Of course, there is no comparison between these great figures of history and Jesus Christ. They were finite creatures and Jesus is an infinite and eternal God. They were mere mortals but Jesus Christ is the God and Lord of heaven and earth. They were what they were by the grace of God but Christ is all that He is in and of Himself. If so, what greater privilege can there be than to serve the one and only true God, the Fountain of life and every blessing, the Essence and Fullness of all that is good and true and beautiful?
Not only that, God is generous and loving and merciful to His people. Whatever we do for Him, He will not forget; He will reward us far more abundantly than what we deserve. If He commands us to love Him with all of our being, it is because He first loved us with all of His being and because we can love nothing better to love than God. He loves us far more than we can ever love Him. If he wants our fellowship, it is not because He wants anything from us—what can finite creatures like us give Him?—but because He wants to give Himself to us and help us share in His joy and abundant riches. Let us consider it our greatest privilege to serve God as our Lord and our heavenly Father! Let us think about how we can serve Him today.