You know in those movies or TV shows where someone will say, “I serve at the pleasure of the President?” It must have been from watching too much Designated Survivor or something like that recently, but there’s something about that loyalty and submission from someone that stands out. The ability to stop yourself in your tracks, lay down your preferences or desires, and to submit to another authority is so counterculture from the way we typically think or what we are typically taught.
There’s something really powerful that takes place when the world watches someone lay down their rights for another.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a systems guy. I love procedures, to-do lists, and structure because I believe with the right systems, you’ll achieve goals. That being said, it’s easy for me to to think “rules” and “systems” when it comes to following Christ. The thought that I have given my life over to Christ and have surrendered my rights makes sense to me. It’s not my way, but Jesus’ way. But I so often miss out on a completely different perspective on this.
It’s actually better and more joyful when we submit to Christ. Sometimes I can get so caught up in loyalty that I’m missing the bigger point that things are better with Christ. That He is better than anything or anyone else.
So what good does it do to say “I serve at the pleasure of Christ” begrudgingly or with an apathetic attitude? If this is present in our lives, then we truly aren’t serving at the pleasure of Christ. I think this happens to us more than we think:
- I don’t want to have to show up on Sunday
- I really don’t want to have to deal with those people today
- I’d rather not do small group again this week
- I don’t think now is the time to bring up the Gospel, I’ll do it next time
- I’ll give later when when I have more money
- My evenings and weekends are for me, not for serving
- I’ll get to my Bible and prayer after I get caught up on emails
To serve at the pleasure of Christ is to actually find joy in the midst of what He has given us. This would flip these thoughts upside down and be more like:
- I get the opportunity to show up and contribute on a Sunday with the rest of the church
- I’m put in a position and God has brought these people to me today for a reason and a purpose
- I need community and others to help spur me on to love and good works, thank God for these people
- It looks like God is giving me the opportunity right now to share about Jesus
- Everything is God’s including money and I’ll honor Him first and foremost
- I can rest fully in God and with my continued free time be able to serve those around me because He served me first
- God gets the first and foremost of everything, including my time, so I get to read and pray before doing anything else
Now I don’t point these out saying I’m perfect at all of these things (I’m far from it), but just to get us thinking more often about the joys and pleasures to be found in Christ. He’s not just a duty to be fulfilled, but so much more than that!
Yes loyalty and submitting to Christ is an amazing thing and it shows great reverence, but imagine how much more fulfilling it is relationally with God and with the world watching when we out of joy from the cross truly serve…at the pleasure…of Christ.
