A pastor recently listed 36 different “hats” he might wear. The roles included community activist, theologian, financial advisor, and life coach. These roles evolved from the different needs of churchgoers. While it’s important for all of us to respond to others’ needs, if the demands consume us, we may begin to serve people instead of serving God.
To prevent this, we need to orient ourselves around what God desires from us. But what does God want from us? After posing this question to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 10:12), Moses announced this answer: “He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12).
God wanted to be at the center of the Israelites’ lives. They were to respect Him as the owner and creator of everything (Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 89:11). They were to “obey the Lord’s commands . . . for [their] own good” (Deuteronomy 10:13). They were to love Him exclusively—to “cling to Him” (Deuteronomy 10:20).
Interestingly, their service to others, especially foreigners, was to be a reflection of God’s mercy and fairness to people who had significant needs Deuteronomy 10:18). Everything in their lives was to flow from the person of God and their relationship with Him.
Is your life centered on God? Preacher Vance Havner said, “It’s ironic that people who work in God’s name often have the most difficulty finding time for Him. The parents of Jesus lost Him at church, and they weren’t the last ones to lose Him there.”
If you’re losing Jesus in your service for God, rekindle your relationship with Him. Renew your hope and confidence in the Lord today (Jeremiah 17:7-8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 12:22-48
More:
Read Psalm 63:4-8 for a snapshot of David’s devotion to God. See Micah 6:6-8 to see what God does and doesn’t want from us.
Next:
Why isn’t it enough just to reshuffle our priorities when we feel overwhelmed? How can we avoid burnout by keeping Jesus at the center of our lives?
ehdlive on August 6, 2013 at 1:49 am
GOD doesn’t want us to pursue His work at the expense of our intimacy with Him.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on August 6, 2013 at 7:01 am
So true (to the comment above) – being busy for God as we say, does not equal intimacy with God. Of all the multi-hats I can wear, I don’t want to miss being still with the Lord.
ehdlive on August 6, 2013 at 10:08 am
Yes, Cathy. It is by being still with the Lord that we’re able to really know Him
jennifer benson schuldt on August 6, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Hi Kathy and ehdlive,
Your comments reminded me of another Vance Havner quote: “The devil will let a preacher prepare a sermon if it will prevent him from preparing himself.” I think this is true not only of preachers, but of all of us who minister to others. No amount of good deeds can replace a relationship with Christ (Ephesians 2:9).
ehdlive on August 7, 2013 at 10:23 am
So true, Jen.
GChoo on August 6, 2013 at 9:29 am
Thank you for the reminder Jennifer. Couldn’t agree with you more.
Many a times we kind of forgotten when we are too involved in serving people and leaving no time to feed on God’s precious Word. The time with God is where we can be still, to deepen our understanding of Him and know His direction for us. In Him we are strengthened, refreshed, renewed and see transformation in our lives.
When we stay close to God’s Word, it not only helps us in our relationship with God but also with our family and others.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 6, 2013 at 3:19 pm
GChoo,
This morning I got up early, hoping to read God’s Word before my kids bounced out of bed. My daughter woke up before I could crack the cover of my Bible. 🙂 The day began there, and now it’s 2:18 p.m. CST, and I still haven’t read God’s Word. As I sit here, I can feel my soul calling out for the “strength, refreshment, and renewal” (as you said) that the Bible gives us (Psalm 119:114). It’s so true. Thank you for the encouraging words you shared!
ruth o'reilly-smith on August 6, 2013 at 2:17 pm
I got chatting to a worship leader from Holland today and he told me about a time when he became discouraged because his church wouldn’t allow him to use the songs he was writing in his church. In fact, he was so disheartened that he stopped writing for two years. It was only after he drew near to his Creator, that he was able to refocus his affection and his attention on Jesus and he was able to write again – worshipping His creator this time. Now his number one priority is to write songs and worship his heavenly Father through song.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 6, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Ruth,
Thanks for sharing this story. Discouragement can come from trying to please people–especially when our efforts don’t seem good enough. Keeping our eyes on God can free us to do what He created us to do.
By the way, your friend from Holland might find some encouragement in Psalm 105:1-4.
mike wittmer on August 7, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Phew! What a liberating thought–this cuts through the unrealistic expectations and impossible pressures we put on ourselves! And sobering quote from Vance Havner, which reminds me of another of his, “If it walks like a duck….”