Willing

I spent the day Saturday at a pastor's wives group I was invited to join by my friend Nicole. The ladies were great and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better over time. In the chapter we were working through, there was a large section on women in ministry. There's debate going on in some circles as to what role women should play in the church. We didn't really discuss it in much detail at our meeting and I do have an idea where I stand on the issue. But God impressed something more important on my heart during that day.

Am I willing to put aside my gifts, callings and talents for the Lord? Am I willing to pour out my gifts in the role I have with my family even if it is not noticed or praised by many?

I usually consider myself willing to use my gifts for the Lord in the way I want to. But, I want to be in control of where I serve. It’s easy to hide behind my gifts or talents by saying either I can’t do this or I can ONLY do that.

Since the beginning of time women have tried to grab control. Eve did it when she ate the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7). Sarah did it when she conspired to have a son through her servant (Genesis 16). Rebekah did it when she helped Jacob steal the birthright (Genesis 27). Rachel and Leah did it when they had a fertility battle to prove who could provide the most children to their husband (Genesis 29-30).

And I do it, all the time. A lot of times I think it's cultural. And that is partially true. Our culture has taught us that we can do anything, be anything, let nothing get in our way! From looking at Genesis, it seems that the desire to control things is simply a part of our sinful nature.

But I have found the most fulfilling freedom when I willingly let go. Letting go of my need for recognition, control, career (Maybe willingness includes giving up a career, taking a break, or keeping a job that you don't love because your family needs it) and callings has not been my way. God has had to humble me and show me HIS way.

Can I choose to follow the pattern of Christ in his willingness to make himself nothing. My purpose in this life is not to demand fulfillment. It’s to let Christ mold me into what he wants me to be: set apart and different, humble and gentle, seeking His glory, not my own.

By making less of myself, I make more of Jesus.






Philippians 2:1-11
¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature^F5 God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death--
even death on a cross!
⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.