Engage

Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, "Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?" God said, "I did do something. I made you." ~Author Unknown

Our pastor spoke this weekend about engagement.  We are doing a study on transformation.  Transforming ourselves into what God created us to be on this earth.  God didn’t create us to just hang out with other Christians.  He also created us to engage with others who don’t know Him.  He told a story that was an excellent example of what it means to engage with other people for God’s glory. 

The story went like this.  The President of the United States is the leader of the largest nation in the world.  You are invited to attend a dinner with the President.  You are sitting at the table and there are plates and utensils all around.  A head waiter from the hotel where the dinner is held comes up to the wait staff and asks why the dishes are still on the table.  He says, “The President of the United States is getting ready to speak so why aren’t the dishes cleared from the table.”  The wait staff replies that the dishwasher is broken and there are dishes all over the kitchen and no room for more.  The head waiter tells the staff that if the dishes aren’t cleared by the time the President steps up to the podium they will all be fired. 

The President happens to overhear the conversation and heads to the kitchen.  He takes off his coat, rolls up his sleeves and starts washing dishes.  The Secret Service has followed him and are drying dishes. 

The correlation here is that Jesus was the best in the world at engaging.  He was the King of the World and he knew how to engage with the least of those on earth.  He showed us what servanthood means.  The evening before his crucifixion he washed the disciple’s feet.  This was a job that was normally left to the lowest person in the household and Jesus Christ our Savior bent down and washed dirty feet. 

How will we know what it means to serve others if we don’t bring ourselves to the lowest level?  What better way do we have to show others God than by serving someone else in need without expecting something in return.  Jesus engaged with tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, the blind, beggars and he continues to engage with us through the Holy Spirit.       

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I don’t want to stand on the sidelines.  I want to be engaged in Your business.  Please give me the strength to use what you have given me for others.  I want your Glory to be my only business.

 

Scripture:  When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. " Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.  John 13:12-17