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Gary G. Hoag
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.”— John 13:3-5
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. John 13:3-5
"Servants base their identity in Christ. Because they remember they are loved and accepted by grace, servants don’t have to prove their worth. They willingly accept jobs that insecure people would consider “beneath” them. One of the most profound examples of serving from a secure self-image is Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples... If you’re going to be a servant, you must settle your identity in Christ. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions. The more insecure you are, the more you will want people to serve you, and the more you will need their approval. When you base your worth and identity on your relationship to Christ, you are freed from the expectations of others, and that allows you to really serve them best."
Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am Here For?” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 269-270.
Look at how Jesus served in the security and confidence of the power and authority given to Him by the Father. And He gave that same power and authority to the first disciples and it passes to us too.
To let this sink in, read the Scripture again. But this time, put your name in place of Jesus.
It's a powerful exercise, isn't it? It reminds us that we are only on this earth for a short time. To make the most of our time here and to position us for service, we fix our identity in Christ and follow His example.
This gives us security that money can't buy and frees us from worrying about how we appear before others.
Perhaps you are reading this and you would admit that you are hiding and you don't want others to see your weaknesses? Or you want people to serve you because you need their approval? There's a better way to live.
It's the path of surrender. Jesus surrendered all things to the Father, and the Father took care of everything. When we do this to we find security, tap God's power, and have joy to serve. Do you want this?
Pray this prayer. It's called the Surrender Novena. Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Write it in a place you can see it often. Pray it periodically each day. See what happens.
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