My kids are always asking me (usually in a whiny voice!) why they have to do something that I ask them to do. They also like to find the loopholes in what I say as well. Maybe one day they will be accountants or lawyers! Anyway, I tell them they need to clean up after themselves. So next time I ask them to clean something, they let me know they did not make that mess and therefore, should not have to clean it. Then in my best Mom voice, I remind them that if that were the case, our house would be unlivable because after all, I don’t make that much of a mess. I also remind them that God asks us to work hard and do our best no matter what we do and how much we may dislike it.

Colossians 3:23New King James Version (NKJV)

²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

I believe there is purpose in everything that we do. If you work at a job you dislike very much, perhaps there is a purpose in you being there. I believe that no matter what we are going through, God is not shocked. God is omniscient. When I ask my kids to do something, I realize that they may not clean it as well as I want it to be done, but I am teaching them something. When they say, “I want to help. I want to do something.” I am more than happy to accommodate their wishes. They are very rarely happy when it is something they don’t enjoy doing.

In this same way, when we beg God to use us, how many times do we get frustrated when we get asked to serve in little jobs? I know I haven’t always had a good heart when it comes to doing things I don’t like doing. As we grow and mature in Christ, we learn to serve with a joyful heart. God asks us to do things like tithing and giving and serving with joy. When my kids serve and help each other without my asking them to, that is when I see their maturity growing. When I see them doing things just because, that is when I want to reward them.

Luke 16:10-12Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰ “He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much. ¹¹ Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of earthly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? ¹² And if you have not been faithful in the use of that [earthly wealth] which belongs to another [whether God or man, and of which you are a trustee], who will give you that which is your own?

I think sometimes when we cry out for God to use us, we are actually asking for a platform. Use me Lord because I know I can preach better than this man or woman. Use me Lord because I know I can lead worship so much better than this person. We must be faithful with the little to get to the bigger things. How often are we frustrated because we don’t get to speak in church? How upset do you get when somebody else gets called on to do what you feel called to do?

Search my heart God. Help me to be a loving, giving, and joyful servant. Help me to work hard each day no matter what I am to do. I thank You for Your loving kindness. Forgive me Lord for all the times I have not had a pure heart and have not served with joy.