Service, not status
“Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for Himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it.” Romans 15:2-4
I’ve always loved these verses. For so long satan had me on feeling as though I had to prove my strength. But the Bible clearly tells us “strength is not for status.” It’s not about how you look, who is watching, or what people are saying. Strength is about helping others. God puts you in situations He can handle through you and gives you certain people to help you or for you to help them. Have you heard the quote “God will never give you anything you’re not strong enough to handle.” Okay yes, but no. God will never give you anything He cannot handle through you. You cannot handle anything. I cannot handle anything. I am helpless without Him. But because He is in me, He will carry me through every thing.
My best friend got married Saturday night. The week was wonderful! The rehearsal dinner was sweet! The wedding was beautiful! The reception was so much fun! But when the father daughter dance came, all of that was gone. I was reminded where I stood, where I’d be on my wedding day, who I’d be without, and I was also reminded that my best friend was moving eight and a half hours away. Losing your dad (or mom) is not something you just get over. It is not something you move past. It is something you have to wake up to every morning, choose joy over the pain, and smile through it all. It it something that impacts every single thing you do. Every milestone, every step in your journey, every home run, and every fall.
Being upset, having something stop you in your tracks, getting kicked in the gut, falling, failing, crying, not being able to do something… or whatever you might call it does not make you weak. Strength is for service. Not status. I’m not strong so that I can tell others I’m strong. I am strong because Jesus makes me strong and I am strong because I have gotten through and I am strong so that I can help others through it.
I love these verses.. “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for Himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,”
Lord, may I life say those exact things. At the end of my life I pray what is said about me is “She looked after the good of the people around her and she didn’t make it easy for herself by avoiding people’s troubles but waded right in and helped out. She took on the troubles of the troubled.”
What will your life say? What does your strength say? Is it status or service?
Xo Amy