SERVING

"If I want him to remain alive until

I return, what is that to you?  As

for you, follow me."

(John 21:22 NLT)

This comment Jesus made speaks to me.

It tells me that Christ does not want the

same thing for all of us.  Our tendency is

to bemoan the fact that we do not have some

gift or ability that others have.

We cannot preach, teach, sing or do some

of the other things that tend to stand out.

So we feel inferior and unworthy.

Remember Jesus also said;

"The greatest among you must

be a servant."

(Matthew 23:11 NLT)

The apostle Paul lists some of the gifts

that God gives us in Romans chapter twelve

and also in 1 Corinthians chapter twelve.  There

are about fifteen different gifts listed between

the two chapters.

The list in Romans chapter twelve has a few

gifts listed that especially stand out to me.

Consider:

"If your gift is serving others, serve them well."

&

"If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging."

&

"If it is giving, give generously."

Hey!

Let's quit trying to be something else.

[You know, up front or outstanding.]

Let's just be what God made us and do

it to the best of our ability.

"Work willingly at whatever you do,

as though you were working for the

Lord rather than for people.  Remember

that the Lord will give you an inheritance

as your reward, and that the Master you

are serving is Christ."

(Colossians 3:23 NLT)