A Part Of Something Bigger
Through the compassion of this family I was offered hospitality, met new friends and was offered new opportunities in serving in the church.
Revelation 1:1-20
Reference: v.6 …and (Jesus) made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be the glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV Bible)
Explore: At the age of sixteen I started attending a new church as I had moved to a different boarding school. The minister had a daughter the same age as me and seeing I was living away from home they would invite me over for lunch after the service. Because this family invited me in to their home I would get to know other family members as well as meet with their extended friendship groups. During one of the many conversations we had around their table they discovered that I played the clarinet. I was immediately invited to be on the band roster and so had the opportunity to be a part of the worship team at the church. Through the compassion of this family I was offered hospitality, met new friends and was offered new opportunities in serving in the church. Before meeting this family I had thought that my contribution in bigger churches would be minimal, and yet they opened up many opportunities for me.
Application: Likewise, when we come into the presence of Jesus he can bring so much more out of us than we can ever imagine. We feel limited by our finances, our abilities and by our circumstance. And yet Jesus brings us in to His generous family and opens the door to many more opportunities. When John was writing to the seven Christian churches in Revelations, they were feeling persecuted and vulnerable. But he reminds them that through the love and freedom of Jesus that He has made them to be a kingdom and priests. They were now a part of an important group and had the ability to serve God in all that they did. This would have helped the churches to not stay focused on the negatives and the troubles but to focus on the bigger picture that Jesus illustrates. This is true for us today too. We must not focus on our limitations and restrictions but know that we are part of an important kingdom… God's kingdom. He reigns and that brings opportunities of love, grace and freedom our way.
Prayer: Lord, often we feel bound and restricted by our circumstances. May we live in Your love and freedom today. Amen.
What restrictions to you feel are holding you back in life. Pray to the God of the impossible about them.
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.