Serving Well: Foundations Matter

Faithfulness where we are is needful. This too, though, is by grace. 

Not despising the day of small things has been so poignant a call. Whatever He has placed us in, we are His to do with as He wills and to be faithful to Him where He calls us. We are not serving ourselves, after all, but the God of all Creation. So, who are we to question His wisdom in allocating to us an humble position? 

Rather, this is needful for most, isn't it? To serve quietly, as not to fester in pride. Or, at least, that seems to be my need. 

Granted, that verse is not necessarily speaking directly to these matters, in context. But there's something of this implied, nonetheless, in terms of the judgment of man exalting itself to dare to question God's providence. Wherever and however this case may be. 

We are studying these concepts in the Word as a body of believers, in my local congregation. These things are needful. 

I have no idea how things will go, if matters at present will culminate in this, but the Lord has been helping me have more clarity in regard to a woman's role in marriage: helpmeet. Not preeminent. 

Serving. 

My own life lately has had that theme, in general: called to serve, not be served. For I still struggle with such selfishness--wanting to be exalted and served. 

But that's not why Christ came, dear friends. And so, as we follow Him, it is our call to follow in His footsteps in these same matters. We are called to submit to Him, in loving deference to His preeminence as our God, our Precious Savior, and our Beloved Elder Brother. That is not burdensome then, is it? 

Whatever He calls us into, He goes before us and accompanies all the while. So we can endure. With grace. 

He has been gentling my heart in such matters as are absolutely needless points of contention--upset over "perceived offenses" so insignificant they are actually shameful to be upset regarding (for how absolutely juvenile they reveal me to be--so selfish and proud). Seeing others likewise upset over same is not justification for behaving or responding alike to them. 

Rather, being called to serve rather than be served means I am to give up self-seeking behaviours in favor of caring for others. This, not forsaking the utmost call to serve God foremost, however. 

We must remain rooted and grounded in truth and reality, or our attempted services become harmful. God has created in such a way as all reality reflects who He is--His preeminence and wisdom are evident in all. And His goodness and purity are as replete. He created, He ordered, He sustains--upholding all by the power of His Word. 

So all which is, is of, from, for, and unto Him. Meaning what is not done in accordance with goodness and righteousness defies Him and is thus disordered, a transgression. 

Acting against pure goodness, acting in defiance of His Infinite Majesty...is fundamentally horrific and atrocious. We deride Him, or would be keenly aware of this. 

Having forsaken that reality, and the actual weight of the wretchedness of transgression, we follow-through by forsaking all awareness of the actual harm wrought per course, however, within creation: sin reaps death when it comes to fruition. 

So, whatever service we might attempt to complete in aiding and loving those near us, to whatever extent the motivation and continuation is not securely founded on true deference to God and His ways, there is transgression against Him and the other. No matter how "kind" the motivations may present themselves as being: The Fount of all Kindness--God, Himself--is the absolute foundation from which we can even know kindness, and anything which calls itself that and which yet defies Him, defies actual kindness to any extent which He has not otherwise constrained.  

For that too is a factor we are so blind toward: In His lovingkindness and longsuffering common grace toward all, He actively restrains sin from being all which could be the case, and restrains the consequences from being what they otherwise would. There is coming a day of judgment, which none will be able to avoid...and until then, He exercises mercy upon whom He will. 

These matters though are ones which are very confused, these days. 

Good is called evil, and evil called good. Seemingly all terms are used as though interchangeable. Love is not known in the world, any longer, but rather selfishness, pride, and lust. These destroy us and destroy one another and destroy societies.

So, we must be diligent to know truth, to be able to discern. We must first know the One who is the Fount of Truth, or we are deceiving ourselves, as well. He is willing to receive all who turn to Him. 

This is very much all-over-the-place. There are a lot of concepts which have been overlapping lately, so again, just fundamentally being convicted of the need to submit graciously and follow Christ--even as He didn't count His own Divinity as something to be publicly flaunted...but submitted Himself to mockery, loneliness, misunderstanding, and tortured death at the hands of mankind...as a service to God the Father and us...securing our salvation.. 

Then how much more should we forsake self, forsake perceived "rights," and submit to God to seek to be good ambassadors of His truth--though we will be reviled all the more for it, as false notions of love and kindness abound all the more. That which calls itself kindness is malice, in the world. We must submit to God and seek to grow in true gentleness and kindness, as we plead with others to be reconciled to Him while there's time. And as we seek to serve in whatever ways He has placed before us. 

As He bids us, then, let us follow--taking up our crosses, denying ourselves, and being led in the way of our Lord. By His Spirit, given grace and wisdom and strength to stand and do exploits in the day of adversity.