OC February 24th

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“I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.” 2 Corinthians 12:15 NLT

Today’s devotional is titled “The Delight of Sacrifice”

That verse summed up a lot of Paul’s existence. Persecution, trials and suffering due to his devotion and love for Christ and to share the gospel with others. It would seem that others loved him less. But the point is that service to Him has nothing to do with ourselves. Chambers says,

“We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest tests of our relationship with Jesus Christ.”

“We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow.”

“Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve.”

The point is that surrender is the only goal. Wherever that leads you is where you serve. Don’t conjure up a grand plan of service to God. It it likely glorifying you and not Him. 

What does surrender look like? How do I do it in my daily life? I don’t know. I do know that I can talk to Him throughout the day. Keep myself and my intentions in check and just ask Him to lead me. 

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