Are you ready to be used up and poured out in service to the Lord Almighty? This is an important question that I have asked myself many times in my years in ministry, and I believe it is a very important question to ask ourselves as we begin a new church work in our local community of Princeton.
The Lord has given us one life to live and as believers, scripture points us to a life of service and devotion to our creator. We are called to live sacrificially and humbly before our God. (Rom. 12:1-2)
Looking at people all around we see forms of sacrifice, devotion, and lives being used up, but to what end? There is great devotion to financial success, perfect body image, lasting legacies, recognition, and much more. None of these things are wrong or sinful, but when we allow them to become our sole focus, we put our devotion to our creator further and further behind us.
When he created us, from the very beginning, we were created for a relationship with him. After sin entered the world, that relationship was broken, but it was still God’s desire to bring his lost and broken creation back to him. He bridged that gap through his son Jesus, who sacrificed His life so that we would be able to be set free from sin and live for Him alone. He did this in a way that we must choose to take the gift of forgiveness, salvation, and love.
In the same way, we must still choose every day to be ready to be used by God. We choose to pour our lives out as a drink offering. We choose to live for Christ instead of following the world. Putting our complete identity into worldly riches, a perfect body, etc. leads us into worship of those things, and away from worshipping the One who is worthy of our devotion.
Throughout scripture we can find the phrase “poured out.” In Philippians 2, Paul says he is willing to be poured out as a sacrificial offering for the sake of Christ. When Jesus was with his disciples in the upper room at the last supper, he explained that the wine represents His blood and his life, that would be poured out for the sin of the world.
As Christians, (little Christs) we should reflect the life of Jesus, pouring out our lives for the sake of the gospel. It may not mean a physical death, but it does mean a life devoted to loving like Jesus loved, serving like Jesus served, and living like Jesus lived. We can’t do this if we find our devotion wrapped up in the culture of the world, or fame and success. We should be devoted the Lord so that we are truly reflecting Christ into the world. That’s what Jesus meant when he spoke in Matthew 5 when he said that we are the light of the world. We are the ones today that shine the light of the gospel in the dark places.
1 Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” We can do this by trusting him in every circumstance, by studying His Word, by prayer, and having humble hearts of worship.
I pray that wherever you are and whatever season you are in, you find freedom in Christ and are ready to be used by him. You don’t have to be perfect, just willing and ready.
Alex
Christ Culture Community Church is a group of believers in Farmersville/Princeton, TX dedicated to making Jesus known; they are located at 12 Stories Coffee Shop in Downtown Farmersville.
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