Servant

I realized today that my “newer” Bible does not have much marked in the book of Philippians. I am seeking to change this starting today.

Bondman, Bondmaid: from deo, “to bind,” “a slave,” originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean “one who gives himself up to the will of another,” e.g., 1Cr 7:23; Rom 6:17, 20, and became the most common and general word for “servant,” as in Mat 8:9, without any idea of bondage. In calling himself, however, a “bondslave of Jesus Christ,” e.g., Rom 1:1, the Apostle Paul intimates 

(1) that he had been formerly a “bondslave” of Satan, and

(2) that, having been bought by Christ, he was now a willing slave, bound to his new Master.

My goal here today is to gain a greater understanding of this word and how it may impact my walk with Christ. Maybe you too? Let’s start with Jesus.

John 12:26 AMP

“If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.12.26.AMP

To be a servant of the Messiah, my first response is to submit humbly, not my will but Yours. Stepping forward, taking one step. Keeping my eyes on Jesus. The Holy Spirit speaking and guiding in my day.

Can I be honest? This is really easy to say in the comfort of my little house, with my cup of coffee in hand, fans, air conditioning. Once I step into my relationship with people in my house, on the road, at work, its very easy for me to slide into old patterns and habits. People do not conform to making my life easy. I’m not sure why. Haha.

Yet, this is my walk. My next step outside my comfort zone is where I choose to trust and serve. If you could see me now, you would see my hands flailing and words. So many words.

See, I try to write on my bed. Normally, pre-Luna, this plan worked perfectly. My sweet golden doodle would lay at my feet and off I go. Luna, on the other hand, sails through the air and walks all over my keyboard. Bringing every toy and flopping it in front of me. She has a plan to play. I have a plan to write. Guess which one wins?

Yep.

Interruptions. Distractions. My plan flies out the window. This is our lives, right? If I keep my eyes on Christ, then these are not distractions, these are ordained opportunities. (Well, Luna jumping on my bed isn’t really ordained, she shouldn’t be ON my bed, but that’s a different day.) She provides me with a chance to pause and focus on her.

Following after Christ changes my view. Submitting my will to His sovereignty. Isn’t that what we want? Think about this with me. I know I think I KNOW (haha) what is best, but I do not see the future. I only know the past and this next step. We serve the God of omniscience (the state of knowing everything) and is omnipresent (God present everywhere at the same time). He truly knows what is for our ultimate good.

If it was up to me, current situation would not be happening. Yet, through these different circumstances, he is making me and changing me. I want this. I want to be more and more like Christ.

This bond servant wants to submit. To humbly accept my life. My Master, my Father has given me all I need in Christ Jesus. Jesus submitted everything to the Father and through it, we are saved. May our submitted lives bring about His glory for Him first, and an encouragement for others around us.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2 NASB

His grace is sufficient for you today. His peace is here as we take every thought captive. And we are never alone.