Daily Devotions - Humble Service in the Body of Christ

Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

 

What holds you back from using your gifts more fully?

 

Holy Father, I am drained by this year. We have been shut down, locked out, threatened, and isolated. I used to be energized to serve, to work on reaching others, and to actively participate in building Your kingdom, but the energy is gone after sitting at home so long.  I have gotten out of the habit to worship and serve You regularly. You have not changed, the needs have not changed, but I have. Please forgive me. The focus has become inward and many have been paralyzed by fear. Take my eyes off of me and help me to pay attention to what You are doing during this time.  Lord, please bring back Your Spirit to fill my heart and the church. The world needs to hear the truth of Your grace and salvation more now than ever. Change the way I think so that I can offer to go out of my comfort zone to serve You in ways that are pure and pleasing to you.  What are You calling me to do, who are you calling me to be at this season? Show me how You want me and my church to serve You during this ongoing crisis. Collectively we are Your people, Your body. When some are not willing and able to use their gifts, the whole body suffers. Show us what You want us to learn from all this. The world is filled with paralyzing fear. Do not let me conform to the pattern of this world, but transform me by the renewing of my mind. Help me to take the steps by trusting in You even though I am not totally comfortable and confident to walk out in faith. Then I will be able to test and approve what Your will is—Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Help me to recognize how I allowed this pandemic hurt my passion for You and take steps to re-ignite me and what we once were as a congregation. Help us to shed our fear. Help us to get excited about getting back to work together to accomplish Your mission and do it cheerfully. You are my strength and protection. You are God and in control of all things. I praise and thank you. Amen