I had lost interest and had given up with no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experienced my everyday life with its’ trivial tasks. My health in mind, body, and spirit had given in to a defeated life. I asked God to keep the eyes of my spirit open to the risen Christ so there was no possibility of drudgery to discourage me. It took more than the grace of God and a much greater awareness to take that next step – I needed to draw closer to Him.

God opened my eyes to the example of Jesus Christ.

“The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control. Jesus knew that. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God. So, he got up from the table, removed his outer clothes, took a towel, and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that he had tied around his waist.” John 13: 3-5 (GW)

God has blessed me with gifts to accomplish His will. I am to share these gifts even when my work cannot be seen or appreciated by others. The only way to live an undefeated life is to keep the eyes of my spirit focused on God through faith in Christ. No task is too insignificant or beneath my dignity as shown by Jesus’ example. I am God’s servant.

“We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things; suffering, distress, anxiety, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food…. People think we are sad although we’re always glad, that we’re beggars although we make many people spiritually rich, that we have nothing although we possess everything.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, 10 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“Come close to God, and he will come close to you.” James 4:8 (GW)

Is there no enthusiasm left in my life? Why?

How can I draw closer to God?

What are the gifts God has blessed to me?

How can I share my gifts to serve others?

What does it mean, “we possess everything”?