August 7: Insight Post by Emma Keeton
Friday Insight Post
by Emma Keeton
I keep a mental scorecard where I rate myself on how well I did that day. Did I pray and read my bible when I woke up? Did I exercise and eat well? Did I stay connected to God through the day? The icing on the cake is accomplishing everything on my to-do list. With all of this completed, I can go to bed feeling pretty good about myself. So, God must feel pretty pleased with me too, right?
James 1 tells us something different:
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 (NLT)
The problem with keeping my days free from disruption is that it’s all about me. As we practice the discipline of service this month, I am asking God to slow me down and let me see the world around me through His eyes. ‘Lord, bring someone across my path that I can help today. Let the love of Jesus shine through me.’ Amen
Starting the day with this prayer is an antidote to frenetic activity when serving others. Instead of seeing every need around me and striving to ‘do the right thing,’ I am trusting that the Lord is in control. The big picture is that I only see what’s in my world, but God sees all things. When God initiates service, I am being invited to take a part in what He is doing in someone’s life. That’s an honor God places on us. Even though I am giving my time and energy, God blesses me as He transforms me more into His likeness-isn’t that just like our God?
I invite you along on the journey this month of service as a spiritual discipline. Let’s put down our phones more and look up at what’s going on around us. Let’s choose to be present to God and others. And when God brings us interruptions, let’s be open to where God’s Spirit leads.
Emma Keeton
Unbound Team Lead