It's All About Jesus And All About Grace

My Utmost For His Highest

She has done a good work for Me. —Mark 14:6

{CHAMBERS} “If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love. Have you ever been driven to do something for God not because you felt that it was useful or your duty to do so, or that there was anything in it for you, but simply because you love Him? […] We should quit asking ourselves, “Am I of any use?” and accept the truth that we really are not of much use to Him. The issue is never of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time."

{ELGIN}  Most acts of love are based upon a feeling that the person showing the love has.  An expectation that there will be some value to the one giving the love. The love that God expects us to show is really independent of “feelings”.  There is no expectation of reciprocity on the part of the one being loved.  When God prompts you to action, the thought should not by “What is this going to cost me?  Can I afford it?” or “What am I going to get out of this, if I do it?”  Talking to someone about serving in Haiti, the person said, “I want my son to go so he will appreciate what he has here.”  The motivation was not about the people being served or sharing the Gospel at all. It was not God honoring, but, still, seemed entirely reasonable to the man.  When volunteers would come to Mississippi or Haiti, often times, at the end of the visit, the team leader would ask the team members “What did you get out of this week?”  The focus was on them.  Perhaps a more better question might have been “What did God show you this week?” That is not to say that serving God will not change you, because it will, but change in you is not the primary purpose of service … of showing the love of God toward others … showing the world Jesus, is.  Many times, God will use one act of service as a foundation stone on which He builds a life of service.  But here is the thing … “It’s not about me and it’s not about you!”  It’s all about Jesus and all about grace.