I thought this meditation on ministry was kind of cool. Hope you enjoy it!
The content was taken from http://www.wau.org/meditations.
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John 13:16-20
Have you ever had a day like this? You wake up determined to make a difference in the world by living for Christ and being his humble servant. You spring out of bed, zealous to be the messenger of his love—just the kind Jesus had in mind when he said, “Whoever receives one whom I send receives me” (John 13:20). By evening, though, the spring in your step is gone, and you wonder what happened. You tried hard to live as an ambassador for Christ. You really wanted people to know that Jesus is the source of your joy. Yet looking back on the day, you still had a sense that something was missing. It was as if all your efforts were inadequate—not sufficiently persuasive, faithful, or even loving.
Days like this are bound to come, but when they do, we should look at them as special gifts from God. It’s on these kinds of days that we are reminded that on their own, human efforts will always be inadequate! Just as Peter and the other apostles had to let Jesus wash their feet, the same is true for us (John 13:3-12). It’s only as we let Jesus minister to us that we will be made fit to minister to others.
Picture yourself at the bottom of a massive staircase, with Jesus standing at the top. The sight of his glory, and the sense of love coming from his heart captivate you and make you want to be with him. But every time you try to go up a step or two, you slip back. Finally, frustrated and a little bit sore from all your falls, you cry out for help. In an instant, Jesus descends to the lowest step, sweeps you up in his arms, and carries you up to the top.
Don’t let today become “one of those days”! Instead, start out by placing yourself in the Lord’s presence through prayer and peaceful openness. Let him sweep you up in his arms and wash your feet. It’s true: You’ll never become a messenger of God’s love on your own. But then again, God never intended you to. May this truth fill all of our hearts with joy and encouragement!
“Jesus, you love me enough to send me to share you with others. Give me a heart of gentle humility, that I may serve as you served.”
Acts 13:13-25; Psalm 89:2-3,21-22,25,27
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