Encouragement for Today - Aug. 29, 2007
August 29, 2007
Order Me
By Zoë Elmore
“Seek ye first the
Devotion:
While visiting a friend’s church, several men and women gave an update on their recent mission’s trip. There were the usual stories of making new friends, helping out with building projects and eating new and unusual foods. I seem to remember someone saying that they actually developed a taste for locust. Yikes, I’m not sure my taste buds will ever be ready for that. As the stories continued there were stories on how this culture practices putting the needs of others before themselves and one thing in particular caught my attention. In greeting one another, the tradition of this culture is to reply with one word “Mondi” when translated it means “order me.”
Wow, talk about loving your neighbor as yourself! Sadly, I’m not sure our culture has much room for that attitude today. As I look all around my neighborhood and community I see people so obsessed with chasing the next big deal in order to quench the desire for bigger and better stuff – so much so that people rarely even speak to one another face to face. Just imagine the difference it would make in all our lives if we had this same attitude of putting one another’s needs before ourselves.
This attitude of “order me” is such a clear picture of complete surrender to Christ. It’s a reminder that my relationship with Him is so much more than simply having my list of needs and greeds met. As I enter His presence with awe and reverence waiting to receive His ordered instructions for my day, I stay out of the trap of only seeking God’s hand without ever seeking His face. It’s in those quiet moments when I’m listening more than I’m talking, I not only experience God’s perfect provision; but I come one step closer to having my dreams fulfilled. Perhaps the old saying is really true, ‘God gave you two ears and one mouth, you should listen twice as much as you speak.”
Over the last few years the Lord has led me to develop and deepen my quiet time and to keep Christ first in all things. I periodically I ask myself the following questions:
· What things does the Lord have planned for me that will further His kingdom?
· Are there things is He asking me to put aside for now?
· Who does the Lord want me to encourage today?
· What can I give someone today that will bless them and meet a need?
I’ll never know the answer to these questions if I enter His presence with the attitude of me, my and mine. If you’re ready to refresh your spiritual life, I encourage you to adopt the attitude of “order me, Lord.”
Dear Lord, search my heart and show me the places I’ve yet to surrender to you. My desire to put you fist in all things and to serve you with gladness in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God’s Purpose for Every Woman: a P31 Women’s Devotional Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
Application Steps:
Study the lives of Abraham, Moses, Samuel or Paul; write down the verses that demonstrate their obedience in keeping the Lord first in their lives.
Reflections:
What areas of your life do you need to bring under the Lord’s control?
What is keeping you from total surrender?
Begin your day by asking the Lord to “order me” for your good and His glory.
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 5”15, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (NIV)
Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. “(NIV)
Ephesians 4:1-2, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (NIV)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
