I am prideful. I like compliments and when people tell me they like my outfit, or how I decorate my house, or that my kids are good kids and I am doing a good job it feels good. I like when people are proud of the way I serve. It just plain feels good. There is nothing like a compliment or pat on the back. You feel accomplished and like maybe, just maybe, you are doing something right. God, however, desires us to serve and live with a humble heart and spirit.
"When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4
God asks us to serve and to serve quietly. He calls us to give and to help and lend a hand; to love and honor others. He asks us to do this in private. He doesn't need us out there telling the world how wonderful we are are because we donated some toys or fed the poor. He sees. He recognizes. He will bless.
Scott is a quiet faith. I struggled with this for quite a long time. I wear my heart on my sleeve and people know my faith. I am not a throw it in your face kind of gal, but people are aware that I am a believer. Scott, however, lives his faith without saying a word. Instead of appreciating that quality, I fought it. I wanted him to be bold and loud...kind of like me. He would refer to Matthew 6:1-4 and it would go in one ear and out the other. He'd tell me that he wants to live by example for our boys so they see what living faith looks like not necessarily what it sounds like coming out of our mouths. I didn't even realize that while I was fighting his quiet faith, he was being an example to me.
God calls us to action in our faith walk. He wants us to serve others. I believe our fallen world is designed for service. He doesn't, however, want us proclaiming our awesomeness from a mountaintop. Jesus is a prime example of a humble servant. He served under the radar and He did it often. John 21: 25 says, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Jesus did so many things and served so many people that our world is not large enough to house the pages needed to write it all down. Sit on that for a moment.
Friends, our reward is not here on this earth. Nor, should we expect a reward. He gave His life for us. The least we can do is serve His creation. We are an entitled bunch. We live in a world where we get immediately after we ask. Our kids receive a trophy for participating not necessarily because they have achieved anything. Rewards are expected whether through praise, accolades, trophies, or monetary value. God asks us to live differently than the very world we know. He calls us to serve and serve humbly. Shout His praise not your grandstand.
"If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
Love & Blessings,
Meg
"When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4
God asks us to serve and to serve quietly. He calls us to give and to help and lend a hand; to love and honor others. He asks us to do this in private. He doesn't need us out there telling the world how wonderful we are are because we donated some toys or fed the poor. He sees. He recognizes. He will bless.
Scott is a quiet faith. I struggled with this for quite a long time. I wear my heart on my sleeve and people know my faith. I am not a throw it in your face kind of gal, but people are aware that I am a believer. Scott, however, lives his faith without saying a word. Instead of appreciating that quality, I fought it. I wanted him to be bold and loud...kind of like me. He would refer to Matthew 6:1-4 and it would go in one ear and out the other. He'd tell me that he wants to live by example for our boys so they see what living faith looks like not necessarily what it sounds like coming out of our mouths. I didn't even realize that while I was fighting his quiet faith, he was being an example to me.
God calls us to action in our faith walk. He wants us to serve others. I believe our fallen world is designed for service. He doesn't, however, want us proclaiming our awesomeness from a mountaintop. Jesus is a prime example of a humble servant. He served under the radar and He did it often. John 21: 25 says, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Jesus did so many things and served so many people that our world is not large enough to house the pages needed to write it all down. Sit on that for a moment.
Friends, our reward is not here on this earth. Nor, should we expect a reward. He gave His life for us. The least we can do is serve His creation. We are an entitled bunch. We live in a world where we get immediately after we ask. Our kids receive a trophy for participating not necessarily because they have achieved anything. Rewards are expected whether through praise, accolades, trophies, or monetary value. God asks us to live differently than the very world we know. He calls us to serve and serve humbly. Shout His praise not your grandstand.
"If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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