Intimacy With the Father

God fashioned us with specific abilities and talents to serve His purpose. Therefore, using our gifts to serve the Lord will naturally bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Still, it is imperative the believer does not allow their work for the Lord to upstage their relationship with God, (Oswald Chambers). Though one may be gifted in an area of service, the glory of a fruitful ministry is God’s and the joy for the worshiper should be in being used by God.

How does one discern between the desire to give God your best and personal ambition? Two answers stand out among the rest. First, consider whether the goal is that you are blessed, or that others are blessed? Second, ask yourself if you are able to willingly walk away from the goal--if God asks you to--regardless of your investment. Staying in the will of the Father should override all else.

Believers can easily slip into focusing more on their service work and ministry than on their personal walk with Christ. Accolades and praise may draw their attention from the call of the Lord. The enemy wastes no opportunity to steal or destroy our focus on God. Therefore, we must always be on our guard and remain in close unity with the Lord: so as not to fall into the devil’s traps of pride, arrogance and self service. Chambers claims the evidence of being in this state is marked by fatigue, burn out and feelings of being overwhelmed: for we may act in our own strength and serve our own means. While we may certainly feel these temporarily in our service to the kingdom, an ongoing, debilitating presence of these should be a warning we are off on our own agenda.

Oswald Chambers reminds us the opposite is true for the servant who keeps their focus on the Lord during their service. “There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.” Remarkably, when our focus remains on the will of the Father, we will; “soar on wings like eagle’s, (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

Today’s devotional takes a closer look at this principal by asking the believer; “What do you want?” Pondering what we want before the throne of God may shed light on impure motives or desires or confirm that you are in a right place of worship. Chambers states; “If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. “Simply stated, are we seeking God or the blessings which come from His hand?

Abraham sought after God and was honored with riches, family and every imaginable blessing. Yet, consider God’s servant Job. Here we find yet another devout God loving man. Yet, Job, with all his loss, his physical, emotional and spiritual pain, as well as ridicule from his peers, kept his eyes fixed on the Lord. Though he suffered, he did not denounce his God. The gift of relationship with the Lord sustained him through the stagnant and rotting valley of death. In the end, his joy was increased beyond what he had known.

Job overcame the devil’s wrath, not through his own strength, but rather through his relationship with the Almighty: he knew God was good, faithful and loving. Though he pondered the will of God, Job trusted the hand of his Creator, and a greater depth to their relationship was the outcome.

Coming off a high of fruitful labor, it is important to determine if your service would have been as satisfying if the fruit was not evident. In other words, are we seeking satisfaction in our ministry and work or a deeper relationship with the Father? Tilling the soil, sowing seeds and nourishing the crop is our calling, regardless of whether or not we ever reap the harvest. Are we willing to labor without a pat on the back, applause or recognition?

When we look to Abraham’s first encounter with God we see his desire to know the Almighty over all he had and knew. Though he was told by God, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you,” his motives were to embrace an intimate relationship with the Lord, (Genesis 12:2 NIV). Abraham’s prompt response and obedience opened doors to a remarkable spiritual life built on faith and a rich relationship with God. For even his son, Isaac, was not more valuable to Abraham. This faithful servant sought a right relationship with God over everything else in response to God’s promise.

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward,” (Genesis 15:1NIV).

For many of us this is not knew information. However, the question at hand is in the midst of our everyday life…do we keep a desire to be intimate with the Lord over everything else?

When our work is taken for granted, do we place recognition before rest in Christ? When others treat you poorly, does desire to retaliate upstage your trust in the Lord? Do you only feel close to God when circumstances feel good or appear fruitful?

Serving the Lord, takes on a different meaning when it is shadowed with adversity. How we respond to less than desirable circumstances is a vital insight into our relationship with God. When we are sold out to simply serve for the joy of growing closer to God, we will find the ability to rise above “issues”. While we may stumble at times--getting caught up in petty talk or attitudes--we must repent, once again leave the ways of the world behind and seek after Jesus.

Intimacy with God is our greatest opportunity, our highest calling and our most valued achievement. Let us therefore, strive to follow Christ where ever He may lead: serving for the sake of relationship and casting aside anything that would upstage our King.