Readings for today: Isaiah 41-42, Colossians 1:1-2:5
I remember when it hit me. I was driving on the Garden State Parkway from a weekend in Boston where my wife and I celebrated an anniversary. We were relatively poor. Living on public assistance. I was a full-time grad student at Princeton. Kristi was a part-time curriculum coordinator for an afterschool program in a local school district. We had an 18 month old and one on the way. Life was not easy but we loved each other and we were pursuing the dreams God laid on our hearts. Kristi had fallen asleep as we drove. Incubating another human being was taking it’s toll on her. ;-) So it was just me, the Lord, and the open road. As I reflected on our life together, the Lord spoke very clearly to me. He said, “I want you to give the rest of your life in service to others, starting with the woman in the seat next to you. Don’t worry about your needs. Don’t focus on your wants or desires. I will take care of you. I will provide all you need. Your job is to serve just as My Son served.” It’s been over twenty years since that conversation and I have no regrets. I’ve tried to embrace that call as best I can and the Lord has blessed my life beyond measure.
When we read a passage like the one from Isaiah 42 this morning, it’s tempting to read it as exclusively applying to Jesus. While we rightly see the life of Jesus reflected in this ancient prophecy, it’s important to think about how it might apply to our lives as well. After all, are we not called to be servants of the Servant? Are we not called to align our lives with His life? Live our lives in such a way that we reflect His glory? Imagine how different the world would be if Christians would seek to give their lives away in the same way Jesus gave His life away? What would happen if we gave our lives in service to God’s justice in the world? What if we pursued humility rather than pride? Meekness rather than strength? Gentleness rather than power? What if we understood the church to be a “covenant for the people” and a “light to the nations?” What if we sacrificed time and talent and treasure to open the eyes of the blind, set free the oppressed, and rehabilitated those in prison? Would we not experience God’s glory? After all, He’s very clear. He will give His glory to no other. He will not share Himself with those who refuse to walk in His way.
I think the Apostle Paul hits on some of the same notes in his letter to the Colossian church. Listen to how he puts it, “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:9-12) Filled with the knowledge of God’s will. Filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. Bearing fruit in every good work. Increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened by His power. Never ceasing to give thanks. It’s a beautiful picture of a life lived for the glory of Christ. A life lived in service to Christ. It’s a life every Christian should aspire to live.
So where does one begin? What’s the first step? I think it begins with what the Lord shared with me as I drove back to our small apartment in Princeton. It begins with a resolution to serve. To give our lives - like Jesus - as a ransom for many. I’m not talking about adding to the saving work Jesus accomplished on the cross. That was a once for all kind of event that will never be repeated. No, what I’m talking about is dying to self each and every day. Picking up our cross. Bearing the sufferings of others. Bearing the injustices of others. Bearing the pain and heartaches of others. Bearing the burdens of others. This is how we fulfill the law of Christ. This is how we manifest the love of Christ. This is how we live a life of service to Christ.
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 43-44, Colossians 2:6-3:17