I have new toothbrush that I’ve been meaning to open up and use. It’s a nice one with flossing bristles and a grippy handle. But, it’s still in the packaging; I’ve never opened it. I have it, I could use it, but for whatever reason, I’m choosing not to. I’m settling for just using the toothbrush I already have, even though I know the new one would probably do the job better. We don’t often talk about what it takes to make more of an effort, but sometimes it feels like taking on a whole new set of responsibilities when we level up—even with something small like a new toothbrush. For me, with a new toothbrush I need to make sure I’m careful not to fray it. I need to make sure to be more gentle. I need to adjust the way I use a toothbrush when I open a new one. And honestly, I just don’t want to take the extra care to bother with any of it; most of the time, I’d rather settle for the way things are. Anyone else relate?
Maintaining a low-effort attitude catches up with us eventually (she says from personal experience). A life with Jesus requires constant growth of us, every day. We are compelled to give of ourselves more, steward more, surrender more of our will to serve His will. There is real sacrifice required in following Jesus. Resisting that calling can only last so long before it leads to some real soul searching. The call to follow Jesus is a call to represent Him in the world; it’s no small act of service, He gave his life. But for us, often it’s lived out in the “small” moments of life. Opening up a new toothbrush in our walk with Jesus could look like walking away before we say something we regret, or choosing to show love when we aren’t comfortable doing so. It could be slowing down to see what others are doing to serve without acknowledgment and asking God if He’s calling us to serve too. We’re all different and we’re all called to serve in different ways, but all of them have one thing in common—loving others.
I have been guilty of refraining from responsibility to others and to service. But I’m realizing if I am called to serve in a certain way, that I must surrender and trust that God will provide what I need. I’ve been afraid of letting people down. But I’m reminding myself that everyone lets someone down eventually; that doesn’t mean I don’t serve others. The point of living isn’t to avoid letting anyone down, it’s to do the best we can as Jesus calls us and helps us along the way. We don’t have to put pressure on ourselves to be perfect or to serve God or others perfectly. The point is simply following and trusting Jesus, with every step we take.
The example of Ananias comes to mind. Ananias faced his fear and showed love to Saul of Tarsus out of love for and service to God, even though he wasn’t so excited about it at first. Acts chapter 9 says that he was a disciple in Damascus who God spoke to in a vision (verse 10). God told him to rise and go to Saul so that he might regain his sight (verses 11-12), “But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. . . .'” (Acts 9:13-15). Ananias was cautious, even though God plainly told him exactly what he wanted him to do.
Ananias expressed his reticence, but when the Lord again told him to go to Saul, he did: “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit‘” (Acts 9:17). Ananias called this man, who he knew had done evil, “brother,” and did an act of service for him, obeying God’s call to serve despite his fear of what might happen to him. God used Ananias’ faith to minister to Saul, a murderer, who later became Paul, an apostle of Jesus who spread the gospel fearlessly and wrote 13 books of the New Testament.
Friends, may we likewise serve and love without fear. May we all follow Jesus in loving others and serving God with grateful hearts. Amen!
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve“‘” (Matthew 4:10).
“even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many‘” (Matthew 20:28).
Thank you for spending some of your time journeying with me. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to Life with the King, and like & follow the Facebook page; it truly helps me continue writing this blog. Grace and peace.