Hear and obey

God uses the most unlikely people. A barren couple are given the promise of many descendants and are told a nation shall rise from them and through them, all nations will be blessed. A slave is lifted from the dungeons to instruct the ruler of Egypt. Where God has a respected priest he uses a boy to lead people back to worship. Where he has a soldier, he uses a shepherd to defeat a giant warrior. He uses a girl to deliver a nation. He uses a cupbearer to raise the city of God from ashes and rubble. A  young virgin is tasked with carrying the Son of God and Savior of mankind in her womb. An enthusiastic persecutor of Christianity is made to be its greatest advocate. A monk stands against the whole church to lead people back to truth and the way of faith. A failed missionary sets off national revival. Why does God use such people?

In the instances above, God was able to speak to the person he used. It’s not that he didn’t speak to anyone else, but these people were listening. They were not only hearing, but they were hearing with an inclination to cooperate with what God had to say. God spoke to Abraham(Genesis 12:1), and Abraham believed God. He moved forward at the Word of the Lord and God counted him righteous (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, 18; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23) and used his righteous life to advance the Kingdom. God gave Joseph a dream and Joseph trusted God to see him through. God used Joseph’s hear and obey attitude for his purposes and to bless Israel (Genesis 50:20). Samuel stands in contrast to Eli and his two wicked sons as the one God would use to lead the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 3:11-14, 19-21). God took the listening obedient heart of the Shepherd boy David, and made him King, because king Saul could no longer hear the voice of God (1 Samuel 28:15). Esther became queen and heard the call of God through her uncle Mordecai, put her life on the line, and was used of God to frustrate the plans of the enemy(Esther 4:14, 16). Nehemiah’s heart was broken over the city where God had put his name (Nehemiah 2:1-2), and God used Him to bring restoration and hope (Nehemiah 13:14). Mary was chosen to bear the Christ child, and her response was total surrender to the will of God (Luke 1:38). A hostile Pharisee, Saul became a friend of the church, transformed through revelation and submission (Acts 9:1-22). Martin Luther led the protestant reformation with the ninety-five thesis (outlining inconsistencies in the church) nailed to Wittenberg Castle door because God spoke to him through the Scriptures and he felt he had to stand on what God had said rather than allow clergy to subvert the Word of God. John Wesley led the Great Awakening in England and the Americas through the experiential knowledge of a surrendered and purified heart.

God is still using people. It may not be the ones you would expect. It may be a farm boy who hears the call of God to “Preach the Gospel” (remember Billy Graham). It may be a shoe store clerk (Dwight Moody) called to be an evangelist, or the son of a traveling preacher God calls to be a missionary (Jim Elliot). God can speak to a young man from a wealthy respectable family and use his obedience to stand up against tyranny and oppression (Dietrich Bonheoffer). God uses people who hear and obey. The ones most willing to listen to God are the one’s God is most likely to use. Speak Lord, for your servant hears.

Man or Mouse

The question, “Are you a man or a mouse?” is one that is intended to cause us to evaluate our courage. Do we have the internal fortitude to face an enemy, conflict, harsh realities, and threatening situations? Man is seen as the courageous side of the scale, and the mouse is timid. Society seems to have lost sight of what it takes to be a man. Machismo is often seen as the equivalent of manhood. To swagger and strut before one’s peers and put others down is to show yourself a man. This is a warped view of manhood (Romans 12:3). A biblical view of manhood stands in stark contrast to current popular trends. Instead of trying to play king of the mountain, trying to show how tough we are, the biblical view of manhood rests on a servant model (Mark 9:33-37). The real test of manhood is in the ability to serve others. This is no milquetoast model. One look at Jesus verifies that. He came to serve others (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:25). The cross, an instrument of torture and suffering, is a symbol of his sacrifice and a our salvation. His manhood put others above himself. Unfortunately, this model is seen as weak by today’s standards, but the Bible sees it as a symbol of strength (1 Corinthians 1:18). If we lift up machismo models for boys to follow, we should not be surprised if the grow up proud and arrogant. If, however, we follow the Biblical model of service and commitment, we lend strength and honor to the next generation. True courage is seen in service and commitment. It is the machismo model that is the weak model (cf. 1 Samuel 17:32, 42-44). To put others down to make yourself look good is the mark of weakness. Putting self above others is not empowering, but demeaning. Think of a ship’s captain who pushes aside the women and children to take his place in the lifeboat. Not a courageous picture to say the least. Then think of the Captain who lives by the motto, “women and children first.” It is the man who puts others first that strikes us as courageous. So lets lay aside the bluster, quit flexing our biceps, and start demonstrating real manhood. Real men must be willing to lay down their lives to stand up for others. That is what Jesus did, and He was a real man if there ever was one.

Serving Spaghetti

 With the help of ladies in the church, our youth group held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. The ladies baked cakes for dessert, supplied rolls, applesauce, and cooked in the kitchen, while the youth were charged with serving guests and waiting tables. The dinner not only raised funds for the youth group, it also provided an opportunity for the kids to practice servanthood. They were not simply serving spaghetti, they were serving people. The kids did a great job. they were eager to please the guests and were quick to respond to requests for coffee, rolls, and dessert. The way they pitched in and worked to satisfy others showed maturity and a care and concern for others that many adults would do well to copy.

Those who are great in the world's eyes are served by others. They are honored above others and put on a pedestal to admire. They do not seek to serve, but seek to be served. This is exactly opposite of the Bible's picture of true greatness(Matt. 23:12). In the Bible the ladder of greatness goes down, not up. The greatest example of servanthood is Jesus and whoever wants to be great in the kingdom of God must follow his example (Matt. 20:28; Mk. 10:43-45; Jn. 13:12-15). We are told that we are to make the most of opportunities to serve others, especially those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).

As I saw the ladies step up to the plate (pardon the pun) it was great, and my estimation of them was not diminished, but enhanced. Though the dinner was to benefit the youth, their attitude of service was an inspiration. It may have only been a spaghetti dinner, but it was a chance to see servanthood put into practice.