GodandMe2theMax

I Have Only Done My Duty...

Do you ever feel like you need a little extra credit for a job well done? Maybe a little more affirmation than what you are receiving? Do you want to somehow find a way to humbly brag about something really cool you've done? I've been there, and if being completely honest, most people would say they've been there, too.

I have been reading in Luke 17:7-10. "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

We have only done our duty.

As I read those words, I stopped still in my reading. How many times have you thanked someone for something and they said, "No problem; I was only doing my job." I've heard that response many times. In other words, no extra credit was necessary, it was all in the 'line of duty.'

So I started to think, what exactly does this mean when it comes to spiritual matters? What is MY DUTY, in relation to God? And when I do what God has called me to do, am I being a self-promoter or a God-promoter? Ouch! Certainly, as a blogger and song-writer, there's nothing wrong with sharing the talents God has given me with others. But the difference is in the attitude of the heart. Who is taking credit for the end result? Am I out there saying, "Hey everyone, look at this cool song I wrote?" Or am I out there saying, "Let me share with you what God has allowed me to do!"? Or "Let me share with you what God is teaching me."

This is a tough one for me. I wouldn't say I'm a proud person, but I'm definitely not a naturally humble person either. The truth is, I'm a talker. A communicator. And I'm the kind of person that likes to share everything going on in my life with my friends and family. However, I've been told by a close family member that "all my talking" comes across as bragging sometimes. That's a tough one to swallow.

So back to the phrase, "I have only done my duty." What is it that God has called me to do? He's called me to obedience. He's called me to write. He's called me to tell others about Him. But when the praise and accolades come from the various "work" that I do for Him, is my heart's response, "I have only done my duty."? Definitely, this is a convicting phrase for me.

I think it's no accident that this passage in Luke uses the words of a servant in the master's home. Isn't that what we each are supposed to be, a servant? We must be serving each other, not self-serving. The words to that old Maranatha song ring loudly this morning...

Make me a servant. Humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant. Make me a servant. Make me a servant today.

Father, keep me humble. Let me give all the glory in any accomplishment to You. Without You, I am nothing. Without You, I have nothing. And without You, life is not worth living. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart always be acceptable to You. Let my response always be, "I have only done my duty."

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

True Worshippers...

John 4:23  "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks."

The Bible talks alot about the faith of a child.  For the blog this week, I want to use the words of my twelve year old son, Jacob.  Many of you know that he has Asperger's Syndrome, which is high functioning autism.  It manifests itself mostly in social skills, but Jacob also really struggles with his emotions.  He wants so desperately to fit in, yet he understands that he has some special needs that keep him from doing so at times.  He has highs and lows, but one thing I can say about him is that he loves Jesus with all his heart.

A few weeks ago, Jacob came to me on a Saturday and handed me thirteen little pieces of paper.  He said, "Here mom.  Last night in my bed, I just felt like God was speaking to me, and I felt like I should write this down."  I looked down at what he handed me, and it was written on the back of thirteen pieces of paper "money", about two inches by three inches.  Jacob doesn't have the best printing, but as I sat reading, I was astounded at the depth of his relationship with God.  This is what he wrote, word for word, without one edit by me.  Here is Jacob's psalm to the Lord.

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God, please take this pain from my heart.  It’s burning up and over, over-flowing.  I lay in my bed shedding these living tears.  The devil’s trying to conquer my thoughts.  But then I remember You, God, and I find the courage to fight back those evil thoughts.  Your name is a miracle for all those who call upon it.  And You alone have the power to turn my sadness into a joyful wake up call.  So I thank You.  Yes, I thank You, God.

Now I want to take back those actions.  Thank you for these joyful tears.  I feel renewed in Thee, Spirit.  My heart was filled with sorrow, but now You’ve filled it with joyful thanksgiving.  Hallelujah, You have strengthened my heart, with Your unending love!  Thank you, God.  You’ve made me happy once again.  Thank you, God.  Thank you, God.

When the evil one comes beckoning, I won’t let him in.  I’ll find the courage to resist him.  With Your name I can do anything.  The devil has no hold over me with this new found courage.   Nothing can stop me from living my life for You.  You healed my broken heart.  What else can I say but thank you!

You never give up on this sad lowly life.  No matter what happens, I know that You’ll be there for me.  You’ve given me something to put my trust in.  You’ve revived me.  You’ve saved me.  You protect me.  What else could I possibly need?  Oh, thank You!

When the world comes trying to kill all my hopes, I know You will be there for me, fighting back those evil lies and giving hope for the future.  You saved me from the lies and fixed my broken heart.  When I was trapped in the devil’s web of despair, You freed my heart and revived my hopes and dreams.  Oh, how could I possibly end this song of thanksgiving?  You never stop giving me a reason to be thankful.  Mere words can’t describe the power of Your name.

Thank You!

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I sat there, reading in amazement..  Oh the faith of a child!  Oh how much I have to learn from my sweet son!  Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  John 4:23  "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks."

As I read Jacob's words as he poured out his heart to God, I couldn't help but think that this was true worship.  This is the kind of worship that God expects.  And I also wondered if I had ever worshipped God with my words the way Jacob had expressed.  Sure, I was proud of him, but more so, I was humbled that this son of mine, special needs and all, could "get it" when it comes to worship.  So many times, we equate worship with singing.  After all, "worship" is the music section of church, right?  Wrong.  Worship is so much more than that, and God our Father is looking for true worshippers.  He's looking for people who worship Him in spirit and truth.  My goal:  to have the faith of a child.  Like Jacob.  To be a true worshipper.  To have my Father recognize me as one who worships Him in spirit and truth.

As we memorize the verse this week, I challenge you to write down your worship psalm to the Lord.  Pour out your heart to Him.  Be a worshipper, a true one.  Let the worshippers arise!

 

---Beth (and Jacob) Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com