Colossians 3:24-25 - You Serve Christ
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I sat down to pray, I contemplated the LORD’s expectation for us to serve him with purity, honor and excellence. I wanted to know what the Holy Spirit had to say about God’s perspective on what it looks like to be a person who serves with a pure heart.
As I researched scriptures based on this theme, I came across Colossians 3:23-24.
This is where we begin our journey today, friends.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, do work for the LORD, not for human masters; it is Christ you are serving.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
I think about the sentence the Holy Spirit gave to me today. I realize that if we are not serving the LORD with clear intentions or a pure heart, what are we doing with the time he has graciously given us? I find myself questioning what motivates people to serve their church, work, family, friends, community, or start a business, write a book, give a speech, climb a mountain, and so on. What does running a good race according to the LORD actually look like? What is pleasing to Him, and how do I always ensure my motives stay pure when the world seems to allow for the opposite?
As I write these words, sitting alone in my room with a view of my backyard and complete quiet from the rest of the household, I suddenly do not feel like I am the only person in the room. I take a deep breath and realize - Jesus is in the room with me.
I feel him standing in the corner of the room watching me as I write this blog. My heart is troubled because I question the motives and motivations of others and the world, but he assures me I am not alone by being here with me today. He listens to my thoughts.
“I desperately want to serve you, Jesus,” I say through my thoughts in my mind. “But I want to ensure I serve you in full excellence and do not compromise or perform less than what you created me to do. I am troubled trying to find people who do not complain, but rather motivate, and are excited simply by the reward of operating in your purpose and will. People that purely serve you. What does this look like to you? I am looking for people who enjoy the labor as much as the harvest. I am looking for people who labor with unselfish motives. I am challenged as I keep moving from place to place, but I am finding the majority have selfish motives. Help me LORD to not harden my heart."
I have many questions for the Holy Spirit today, so I focus on my main point, and move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, I get angry and emotional when people say one thing and do another for selfish gain. What do I do with these feelings and how do I commune with those who do these things, since I realize no one is perfect (including me)?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
"You must continue to do what you say, since you are a person of your word. When someone deceives or changes, they are like the wind. But you should stay true to who I created you to be. As I spoke in my word in Ecclesiastes 1:14, I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. These things are not new. Instead of lashing out or letting emotion overtake you, focus on where you are right now. Focus on the choice you made to walk away and come to me. You are alone, in your room, with me. You so desperately want to do right by me, your heart grieving when the intentions of others does not feel right. I want you to know these things are a distraction. They are a trick from the enemy to steal your joy in doing good work, which you should do regardless of what others do. I am here with you in the room, your pain and confusion are not unnoticed. If nobody sees or relates to you, please know I see you. Keep walking in my ways, keep on my path, and do not let anyone lead you off my path with their ways. Do not feel obligated to humankind. When you witness manipulation, especially when claiming my name, you must pray for those unaware of their actions and have grace on them and yourself. Remember, vengeance is mine. Call upon me and I will give you peace. If you do not feel me in something, go where you can find me and do not move until I tell you. I am here right now, I have left the ninety-nine for the one who purely seeks my heart and ways.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of your son, Christ Jesus.
Thank you for the beautiful vision today of your son, Jesus, in the room with me during my writing and troubles.
Please help me whenever I am confused about someone’s intentions, to come to you for clarity. If it is not on your path, or not intended for me, please let me feel no condemnation or question that I should walk away and invest my time elsewhere. It is not for me to fix, but you have seen everything under the sun, so what a surprise is to me, is not a surprise to you. Keep my heart pure in these scenarios I encounter, and like David and Jesus demonstrated, only let me move when you say move.
Let me not be distracted from you, LORD, as you are never too distracted to tend to me.
In Jesus' mighty name - Amen!
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, I am in awe and wonder at the grace of Jesus's coming to my prayer room in my time of trouble. While my concerns are valid, I must stay focused on him. Nothing else matters.
Even if your beliefs are unpopular, stay true to yourself, and who he created you to be. Don’t let anyone take that away from you or make you compromise who you are and your values.
Pray for those who may have lost their way, or are unintentionally perverting something pure.
At the end of the day, you are better off traveling along your merry way, cheerfully doing the LORD's work in the way you know it is pleasing to him and in excellence. Remember, we work for the LORD Christ.
God bless you. See you soon.
