The (un)Popular Appointment

OCTOBER 6

It is not an appointment of popularity. It is not a ministry of the majority. It is a singular vision, given by God, meant to direct our lives for the betterment of His people, the advancement of His Kingdom and for the Glory of His Name. How much time do I spend worrying about the opinions of people yet never stopping to seek the opinion of the very One who has given me the very tasks that I am seeking to accomplish. And yet, when things grow difficult or sacrifices must be made, I stop being concerned with the very ones I’m actually commissioned to give my time and ear to. Ironic.

We know, when in the fire, whether we serve selfishly or sacrificially. God will put me to the test, eventually. He will force me to be authentic in my service and my time to His vision, because until I am completely removed and no longer have any stake in His plans, I can be of very little use to His ultimate goals and purposes. It takes a tremendous amount of personal effort to remove myself each day – by my very nature, I’m always asking “how does this benefit me?”

The art of sacrificial service doesn’t happen over night. It is a life-long process where the believer, while being transformed and sanctified in Christ through the renewing of his mind, learns the discipline of capturing every selfish thought and motive and giving them to the Lord. But as we are cultivating new spiritual disciplines, we are also acquiring this new desire where nothing super cedes God’s desires not only for our own lives, but for this world as well. Don’t be disturbed by your selfishness today… just don’t accept it and determine to keep chasing and acquiring God’s desire to be conformed to His Heart.

 

Peace, Sean Gutteridge

 

Today’s Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.