A Better Servant

Good Morning,

I know that I've been "slacking" a lot lately in the area of sending along a daily message. My "excuse" (I really hope it's more of a reason than excuse!) is that I volunteer 5 days a week (NO!...Not 5 full days, but parts of them, at least...some longer than others) and when I get home I'm often very, very tired. I do this volunteer work for an organization, Gleaner's Dispatch, that gathers and distributes bread, produce, and other items to folks in need. I do feel that this is extremely important work and, therefore, don't feel too awful bad about not being better about being sure a message goes out every day. I thought that I'd try to explain myself in case there are those who might have a question or two about why the "daily" message isn't really daily any more. Oh, for further information about where I'm doing this work and for an opportunity for you to help in this work, please visit: http://www.gleanersdispatch.org/ . So, on to today's message...

Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"

As I looked at everything that has come across my desk this morning...a lot, I have to tell you as I didn't even open my computer the last few days!...I came across the following statement from Mr. Jack McCall who sent it along via the Faith and Worklife e-mail devotional, "Each morning as I complete my time with God, I ask Him to manifest Himself in me so I can be a vessel of His love throughout the day. Unfortunately, I don't capture all of the opportunities He presents; sometimes due to selfishness and other times because I'm frightened." This statement by Mr. McCall struck home with me because it so well explained my actions, and lack of actions, as I go about my daily life. I think that all of us can relate to what he is saying about missing opportunities that God places in front of us pretty much every day we walk on this planet.

Jesus spoke about the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and those in prison...and how if we do something for even one of them, then we've done it for Him, as well. I would add that although we might not meet any of the people Jesus was speaking about, we DO meet someone who is in some kind of need almost every day we live. It could easily be someone who isn't really in need in any way, at least not in a material way, but could very well be in need of some spiritual help and good, Christian guidance for his or her life. It could be that we meet someone who simply could use a pat on the back or a "Good job!" for something that no one seems to notice. Well, you know, this kind of list can go on just about forever. Point being, God places opportunities for service to Him, through the act of serving one of His children, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me," (Mat 34:40)

Personally, I wish that I would NEVER have to admit that I am not the vessel of love God wants me to be and that I never have to say that I missed an opportunity to be His servant as He would have me to be...ever again. Now, I know I'll miss that goal of being the loving, caring child God wants me to be. However, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have this as my life goal: Seek the opportunities God places in my path and then act on what is needed at that moment.

If I can do that, then my life will be a successful one; 100% successful in every way.

So, I would ask for your prayers that I would be a better servant to my Lord, Jesus Christ. I'll add here that I'll pray for you to be the same.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David