It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.

What do I count in my life as “dear to myself”? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as “dear to myself.” But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, “Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work.” That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use— but always consider that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You are His.

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March 4, 2011

It seems that You are teaching me a lesson about trusting You to be very clear regarding Your will and direction for my life. I am not to choose my direction and ask You to bless my choice, I am to wait, and wait and wait (if necessary) on your direction….. trusting Your will and timing.

And God says…”Too often you, like many others, assume you know what I want you to do in a situation or circumstance;  you offer up a prayer and …”away you go” asking Me to bless the road or choice you ”thought” I wanted you to follow. But that is not the way to live in My will. I am not the author of chaos or uncertainty. For you the issue is one of waiting. Wait, be patient, let patience have her time. You will ALWAYS know exactly what I want you do, where to go, how to go there. Ask, and you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened, Those that wait upon the Lord grow strong, and certain.”