One of the most real desires of mine is to be used by God. I know I get distracted from this motive all the time, but when I think of what I would want to have accomplished when I’m looking back on my life when I’m on my death bed, this seems to be the only thing that truly matters to me. The problem I seem to run into though is that so often, I have my eyes fixed on being used by God, and forget to keep my eyes on God himself.
I love the scripture in Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus is telling us not to worry. I often look at this scripture as telling us not to fear the unknown, that God will take care of us…which it certainly is talking about….but reading it recently, I think it means so much more. Jesus points to the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field, that they neither toil, nor spin–but simply are. Just the fact that they are is such a testimony to us. Today, during my devotionals, I was deeply moved by the following, from My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:
So often we impair God’s designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here [in Matthew 6:26,28] that growth in our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually— just as “the lilies of the field.”
This was such a powerful statement to me to read and reflect on. Staying focused on God is the the key to being useful to him–trying to be useful to him is not. It’s funny, because deep down inside, I knew this, because everyone who truly has had an impact on me in my life are people who just were–people who just are. Those people did not have to try to have an impact on me, they just did. So how can I expect to have an impact any other way.
If I truly want to be useful to God, I have to pursue, and maintain a pure relationship with Jesus Christ…there is no other way. And when this happens, I know God will be using me every day…except, I won’t even be aware, or conscience, of it because I will just be.
What a much more simple, and pure way to be used.
So, let us not concentrate on being useful to God….rather, let us fix our eyes on Jesus.
Do you have any experiences to add to this topic? Have you struggled with this same issue or a similar one? Was this article a blessing to you? Please, let us know. No matter how important you feel it is, God could use it to touch someone else’s life.
Born in 1989, Colton (the author of LivngForJesus) is child of God, husband, soon-to-be father (baby on the way), the Outreach & Youth Director at Gateway Christian Church and a graphic/web designer. He has had a passion for ministry since his mid-teens....
Just be who u r in Christ
Let Jesus lives His love n grace in n thru u! Its effortless!
If u try doing it 4 God, u will get burn-out!!!
That is an awesome example of how we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! Thank you so much for sharing Sharon.
Lately I have felt so guilty because I want to be useful to God, but so frustrated by the confinements of schedules and work loads. In praying to the Lord I have felt the need over and over to just talk to Him and read His word and relax ,enjoying His Spirit’s Comforting Presence. So I am thankful that He has led me to this post and that I should keep my eyes on Jesus.
Years ago we farmed for a living and I would help my husband in the hay field by raking the large mown hayfields with a tractor and 5 wheel rake. There was a need to keep the rows nice and even. The first row especially was important to be straight across the field so that the baler could come along baling up the hay that were in long windrows. My husband taught me to start the row and focus on a point across the field and keep the tractor headed straight for that focus point. This kept that first row straight and set up the pattern for the rest of the field. So, once again I am reminded that I should focus on Christ so that the rest of the day will follow the pattern that my Savior would plan for me!