Bring All of You to Jesus: Our Lord Requires All Not Part

God requires wholehearted devotion and willing minds from those who follow the Lord Jesus - both for our good and His glory – one never surpassing the other. He, Who “poured out His life like a drink offering” for us, desires from His followers not simply a tip of the hat assent, rather our whole beings. He wants us all in. His desire is for us to “walk as Jesus did”. And what does that look like? Is He first in our lives? Do we follow Him wherever He may lead us or do we kick against His best because it is not suitable to our flesh? His desire is for us to be useful in His kingdom work wherever He has planted us. And we were not made to simply take up space as every life is important. Every life.

Further, all is sacred and holy when done as unto the Lord – not for man – even as peeling potatoes was to Brother Lawrence who peeled potatoes for an audience of One. We do not want to miss the opportunities presented to us to bring Him much glory by going our own ways or doing our own plans or thinking that what He has asked of us is beneath us. It would do us well to remember that every step is an arrival to where He is taking us and it is the Great Adventure He has called us to. We are not anywhere by accident rather by appointment and that is to stand firm in His will, mature and fully assured. We are to be our Lord’s hands and feet and mouth. Remember Jesus’ Words to us in Luke 9:23-25 (NIV): Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
   
Everything done for the Lord or as unto the Lord, is holy work – even down to simply giving a drink of water in His Name. We must learn to be present in the present and listen intently to the Spirit’s still, small voice and leadings. It is uber easy to miss the opportunity of the moment when we are consumed with our own missions, wills and ways. God constantly presents opportunities in front of us but we are normally preoccupied with our own plans and agendas that we miss out on who He places before us to make much of Him in this dark word. This can be as simple as a kind word of affirmation or a smile to a beleaguered soul. Rember, we are not where we are by accident rather by divine appointment. This does not present a problem for the One Who “makes known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come,” as Isaiah 46:10 (NIV) tells us. His desire is for us to be faithful and do whatever He calls us to do with great integrity, gentleness and love all wrapped in humility, kindness and excellence. It is not that we “have” to serve, rather that we “get” to. And through His power we can turn the place of each of our encounters into “holy ground”. It is the greatest privilege that He uses His children for kingdom purposes and we do not want to miss the amazing opportunities as He presents them by being too preoccupied with our own wills and ways. His desire is for us to be faithful to live out our callings. Remember as well, none of us are “there” yet or we would be home with the Lord. Therefore, we are to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do” through His willing vessels of mercy and grace. Only you know what all of you looks like. Do not go forth “tepid” rather with great industry and endeavor ever looking and depending upon Him for our strength, power and peace. For His eyes not the worlds.