With My Own Eyes

Reading: 1 Corinthians 9

Highlight – 1 Corinthians 9:19

[19] For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (ESV)

Explain – Paul’s ministry “strategy” was to serve others. Jesus modeled this throughout His life.  The very act of Incarnation was the ultimate demonstration of servanthood.  Before leaving the earth, Jesus illustrated this kind of life by washing the feet of the disciples.  He instructed them that they were then to follow His example.  And then he surrendered to His enemies, allowing them to nail Him to a cross for their sins.  The Apostle Paul followed in the footsteps of Jesus by himself living a life of servanthood.  Both Jesus and Paul set aside their “rights” for the good of others and the success of the Gospel.

Apply – I am likewise called to follow Jesus by living a life of humble servanthood.  This is a great challenge to my flesh that wants to be served.  This is also a great challenge in a land that prides itself on standing up for its rights.  If I am truly a follower of Jesus I too will be willing to lay down my rights and serve others.  This is where the rubber meets the road, where Christianity is either theoretical or practical.

Respond – How is God calling me to practically do this?

This season of Covid 19 has provided an opportunity for Christians to lay down their rights to serve others–whether that be through wearing masks or adjusting how it is that we gather.  It is a strategic time to ask the question of how would Jesus respond in this situation?

For me personally, I must be more intentional about viewing daily life through an “others” lens rather than a “self” lens.  I must be constantly asking the question:  “How can I help?  How can I serve?  How can I bless?”  I confess that it doesn’t come easily or naturally.  I must make the conscious effort.  I pray that it becomes much more my default way of seeing and living.  

Where can I begin?  At home.  Serving my wife.  Doing dishes.  This may seem small in comparison to crucifixion (and it is), but small steps set a trajectory for life.   

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I have been reading the book Replicate: How to Create a Culture of Disciple-Making Right Where You Are. I have benefited so much from the content of this book. Many of the disconnected discipleship elements had been sloshing around in my brain are now being connected. One of the practices taught in the book is the practice of keeping a HEAR journal. I have always appreciated the importance of journaling as a spiritual discipline, but struggled to do it consistently. The HEAR strategy makes it doable for anyone. Here’s the approach in a nutshell:

1. Read a short passage of Scripture (ex. 1 chapter). This isn’t a race to read the Bible in a year. It is a slow soaking/simmering. Less is more.
2. H – Highlight a verse or verses that you sense God is using to speak to you.
3. E – Explain the original meaning of those verses. You may need to do a bit of study to identify author, audience, context.
4. A – Apply the verses to your life today.
5. R – Respond. What will you do about it?

Next thing you know, you’re journaling. This method is very similar to the SOAP approach (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). I (cautiously) think I’m going to do some of this here on the blog. We’ll see how that goes. Nothing like sharing too much personal information on the world wide web. Anyway, if the example and the content are helpful to some, that would be a win.

A few weeks ago we were blessed to travel around Northern Michigan and enjoy its summer beauty. M22 is such an amazing drive.

Being ministered to by this song today:

I find space for what I treasure
I make time for what I want
I choose my priorities and
Jesus you’re my number one

My baby girl turned 20 on Sunday.  Was blessed to make a quick trip to Bourbonnais, IL to celebrate with her.  Super proud of her.

“However, I have to admit that I always find myself shocked that after 20 centuries of Christian faith and practice in Western contexts, that still the average Christian in the average church in the West is profoundly unformed and immature in Christ. This is the gospel of the resurrected King Jesus Christ we are talking about— world-transforming power! Twenty centuries of the Holy Spirit, of Christian thinking and acting, and this is what we have ended up with? There has been so much by way of church and theology and yet so little transformational impact. How do we account for this? How can we possibly justify this to ourselves, let alone to the God who has commissioned us and to whom we are ultimately accountable?”

Hirsch, Alan. 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ (Kindle Locations 504-509). 100 Movements (DH). Kindle Edition.

“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.”