Today I read a snippet from Charles Spurgeon’s devotions, where he wrote –
“Paul became a sacramental (consecrated/blessed) personality, wherever he
went, Jesus Christ HELPED HIMSELF TO HIS LIFE.” As I meditate on this phrase,
I remember how workers in this nation, which is now my home, rise and go to
work early – many without eating breakfast, but then they go to restaurants
from 10:30 onwards to have healthy buffet meals. (We call this time-of-day
meal – “brunch” which means breakfast-lunch.) Finnish buffets are very varied
and healthy, and the workers can HELP THEMSELVES and dish up delicious
nourishment which satisfies their physical needs.
Can Jesus “HELP HIMSELF” to our lives daily? Can He use His joy, His beauty,
His peace and love that radiate in and from us, to spread these lovely qualities
to others? Phil. 2:13 states – “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to
work for HIS GOOD PLEASURE.” Do our lives represent a feast which is laden
with Christ’s heavenly spiritual gifts which help us to light God’s paths for
others? Matt. 5:16b says – “…let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
God has given each one of us unique talents and abilities to make a difference
in this world. He also equips us with everything we need to run the race before
us while assisting and blessing others in the process. He has placed gifts inside
us that must be used for His purpose. There is joy in knowing that God desires
to work through us in unison with the precious Holy Spirit, leading and guiding
us, our efforts, and our strengths. Do we ALLOW Him to use our skills, our
experiences, our finances and desires to serve Him better, or do we tend to
keep them to ourselves, and not be used by Abba Father? 1 Peter 4:10 says –
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of
God´s varied grace.”
When I was a teenager, and Mom told me to clear the table, or assist her in the
home, or Dad asked me to wash the car after I used it, I had no option but to
obey. My parents were allowed to use my time and efforts because I was their
child, and they gave me much more than I could ever give to them. How much
more we need to obey Abba Father God when He wants to use us! Are we
willing servants in His Kingdom, like Paul was? We cannot all be Pauls, but we
can all be ready and willing to be used for higher purposes, to be a fragrance
which Jesus can use to spread His aroma. 2 Cor. 2:15 says – “For we are a
fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those
who are perishing…” Ephesians 5:2 declares – “and walk in love, just as Christ
also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as
a fragrant aroma.”
Blessed, Most Holy and loving Saviour, Thank You for sacrificing yourself and for
giving us the most important gift any person can give to us – forgiveness of oursins and free salvation.
I desire to be used more by You. Please assist me to be
an empty vessel so that You can fill me with your gifts and blessings which You
desire that I use for your glory. Help me to NOT hold back, but help me to be
the kind of “table” others can come to and drink Your living waters and get a
heavenly taste of Your beautiful banquet of love. Amen.
Myrtle Turunen