My devotional today ended with a question: Do you think of yourself as God’s servant? As I sat and pondered this question I came to some humbling realizations. At first, I thought, of course I am; my husband (Matt) and I said “yes” to the call of full-time ministry! As I thought a little longer I started thinking about parenting. God is my Heavenly Father and I am His daughter. Do I listen, honor and obey Him each day? The answer to this question is ultimately, no, not really. If I compare this to how I expect my children to listen, honor and obey their father and I the answer would still be a resounding ‘no’. If my children went about their day ignoring my commands, questions and rules I would grow frustrated and a little hurt that they don’t respect me. I then think about how I go about my day: usually just a moment at a time, doing what I want to do with not much thought about what God wants me to do. Have I even listened or acknowledged Him calling my name lately? When I call my children by name I expect an immediate response of some kind. When they don’t acknowledge my call I grow angry especially when I have to say it for the 3rd or 4th time. God is patient and kind. He gently whispers my name and I have continued on without acknowledging that call. And His heart breaks over and over again for His children who have made themselves their own masters since Adam came from the ground. And it is here I find myself: I have chosen to be my own master and I have not been living as His servant.
Jesus, forgive me. Take me back to your heart. Give me the desire to serve you wholeheartedly. I want to honor You in all areas of my life. You offer us so much in Your personal whispers. Because of Your Son we are able to commune with You all the time. There is no need to bring a sacrifice to enter the Holy of Holies any longer. The blood of Jesus atoned us all. We have this gift of grace, salvation and relationship from the Creator of the Universe.
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?”
-Psalm 8:3-4
He is mindful of me. Even when I choose my ways over and over again. He chose me and I choose Him. And I will keep choosing Him over and over again.
In Him,
Katie Karlson