This week, though, something happened that bears reflection. One of the other neighbors, not a regular, was found to have a slave living in her house, doing most of her housework and providing some exceptional gourmet cooking. Well, the slave girl was discovered, she was taken in by the repentant husband of one of the housewives (through his priest) and awaited reuniting with her family (from China). While in this sanctuary, she begins to do all the things she had done before, but as an act of thanks and the show ends up with the "slave girl" becoming a (paid) servant. She was doing the same tasks, but with a difference...freedom.
Some would say that being a Christian is more like the former than the latter. That the tasks of being Christian cause us to have to do things that we'd rather not do. That it resembles force-labor. They are wrong.
Jesus said that the yoke of slavery was the law (of Moses), that it provided nothing more than a mirror to see our imperfections and not provide any (or at least much) help for living. Christ, though, didn't come to remind us of our sinfulness, but to rescue us from it. He set us free from the law, from sin, from ourselves. "Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you." (Galatians 5:1, The Message)
We've gone from slaves to servants. We're doing the same tasks, but from a different perspective. We are doing the right things, but now for the right reasons. We are obedient, not because of fear of wrath, but because of gratitude and love. We give our tithes not out of forced tribute but out of thanksgiving. We give our hearts not because they are forced from us, but because we want to share them. There's a vast difference between slavery and servanthood. God has called us heirs, children, friends, servants not slaves.
"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. "(Galatians 5:13-14, The Message)
Jesus was not a slave, but a King yet he came to serve. The difference is freedom; and he gave it to us.
Peace ><>
A Servant of the King
3 comments:
I can never say I felt like a slave, but I have been in the position of Constantine. If you've ever seen the movie, minus the demon-condmening rampage he goes on throughout the movie, I saw a similarity between Constantine's character and many Christians. It reminded me of myself at one time as well as many Christians that are on the brink of turning completely away from their faith.
Throughout the movie Constantine is motivated by a sense of duty and payment he feels he owes. He seems unable to grasp the whole "Grace" concept. After a while he figures it out and everyone is happy. He was still cool after giving up cigarettes.
The point, besides advertising a good action flick, is that Christians should never feel like slaves with Christ. When we feel the heat getting to us and feel obligation above all else, we're turning selfishly inward rather than spiritually inward.
When this barrier keeps us from Christ it's like being numb to everything. We dont feel any true connection, you can see this in Christians. It happens to most of us at some point. That fire in them or that steadiness suddenly seems feeble or vaulted away with cloudy expressions.
My personal problem was not listening. I wasn't listening to the booming voice in my head, only my own. I relied on my own logic and perseverance to carry me on rather than accept any help or inspiration from the creator of the Universe (my logic can be sketchy at times).
We as Christians are not alone in our fate. I know the "voices" thing might make me out to be crazy and I wont disagree with that. Because when you listen and feel the holy spirit, you think and believe in some crazy-awesome ways.
I have served both out of duty and out of love and honor. When I look back at the times I served out of duty I felt a sense of resentment, a feeling of being trapped into something I really didn't want to do..I grudgingly pressed ahead but didn't have my heart in it. When I serve because of love and because of repect and honor...I feel peace....peace in knowing that I am doing this service not because "I have too" but because I "want too". I want to serve God...out of my love and my respect for Him. However, I also know that there are times that I thought I was serving Him, but my heart wasn't in it, I was feeling resentful and I came to realize that maybe I was serving God in a way that He didn't want me to...he was calling me to service in another way. He was speaking to me. I feel God is speaking to me at the times when what I am doing just doesn't have that peaceful feeling...even in service to Him. That is when I need to slow down and listen and let God direct me where he knows I serve Him best. Father always know best!
I saw Desperate Housewives too, and thought it was neat to see the main character (the Terri Hatcher character), who is facing surgery and lack of insurance, send up a prayer. Minor as it was, it was great to see her raise her hands up in "Desperation" to God and say to those who gave her stange looks that she was praying. And I guess her prayers were answered through the help of her ex-husband. DH is no Christian show for sure, but it is neat to see it addressing some issues, namely Carlos's convictions to become a servant for God through his Catholic faith, despite his wife's selfish struggles against him. (Ah, the drama. It's good TV!)
But a bit on the issue of serving. I am glad that God helps me have JOY in what the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. I hope it's not wrong, but to be honest, sometimes I quit doing something in service if I'm not enjoying it. I know that makes me look like a quitter, but I think God directs me toward areas that I can be joyful in serving. There's surely much more impact that way. If I'm negative as I serve, I guess that's not being a cheerful giver. And sometimes I think God is moving or has moved me toward other areas to serve.
Hope I've stayed on topic somewhat there. I've always wanted to Blog on this site, but others who blogged kind of encouraged me (though they don't know it - thanks B's!). After about an hour after reading, I just jumped back on the computer... and here are my ramblings! :-)
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