Have you ever had “one of those weeks”? (The very fact that you know what I mean when I write “one of those weeks” means, of course, that we all have them).
Last week started well. I was feeling good and happy, and then things went downhill quickly. A couple of situations came up, I had a conversation or two that were not much fun and suddenly my good week was gone. I was pouty, depressed and grouchy. I did not want to see, talk to, or deal with anyone.
In reality, nothing was drastically wrong. From the outside looking, you likely would not see any obvious reason to be upset. Things looked about how they always look.
I am aware that my perception of my life is influenced by many things including how much sleep I am getting, how much I am exercising and the fact that winter this year seems never-ending. However, I came across something in my morning devotional that I had not considered. I found it helpful and maybe you will too.
In “My Utmost for his Highest”, Oswald Chambers writes, “If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.”
There is a huge difference in serving people so that they will like me and serving people because God likes me.
If I serve only to make people happy, I will always be on the rollercoaster – good day, bad day, good day – because I will never be able to keep everyone happy. No matter what I teach, say or do, I will always be able to find someone who liked it and someone who did not (and you know which one we most often focus on in that case).
However, if I am serving God, things are different. As Chambers points out, “[The Apostle] Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference… the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord.”
Near the end of last week, I decided to stop worrying about what others wanted and decided to refocus on what God might want from me. Interestingly enough, I was happier and so were the people around me.
It is a good lesson to learn: We serve others not for their praise, but so that they will see and praise God.
That has to be right, because that is what Jesus did.
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . . - Matthew 20:28
Last week started well. I was feeling good and happy, and then things went downhill quickly. A couple of situations came up, I had a conversation or two that were not much fun and suddenly my good week was gone. I was pouty, depressed and grouchy. I did not want to see, talk to, or deal with anyone.
In reality, nothing was drastically wrong. From the outside looking, you likely would not see any obvious reason to be upset. Things looked about how they always look.
I am aware that my perception of my life is influenced by many things including how much sleep I am getting, how much I am exercising and the fact that winter this year seems never-ending. However, I came across something in my morning devotional that I had not considered. I found it helpful and maybe you will too.
In “My Utmost for his Highest”, Oswald Chambers writes, “If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.”
There is a huge difference in serving people so that they will like me and serving people because God likes me.
If I serve only to make people happy, I will always be on the rollercoaster – good day, bad day, good day – because I will never be able to keep everyone happy. No matter what I teach, say or do, I will always be able to find someone who liked it and someone who did not (and you know which one we most often focus on in that case).
However, if I am serving God, things are different. As Chambers points out, “[The Apostle] Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference… the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord.”
Near the end of last week, I decided to stop worrying about what others wanted and decided to refocus on what God might want from me. Interestingly enough, I was happier and so were the people around me.
It is a good lesson to learn: We serve others not for their praise, but so that they will see and praise God.
That has to be right, because that is what Jesus did.
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . . - Matthew 20:28
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