It is so easy sometimes to miss the point of an activity or to miss the deeper meaning behind something. Many of the holidays we observe have lost much of their original meaning, lost to the excitement and busy-ness of the celebration.
So, also, did the seventy-two who were sent out. What were they celebrating upon their return? What did Jesus point out?
I must admit that if I had been among these seventy-two I would be excited about the fact that demons submitted to the authority that I had been given. Likewise, whenever I am involved in any kind of ministry it is easy to pat myself on the back and congratulate myself on what a wonderful job I did.
We can all fall into that mistake. And, in many ways, there is good reason to be proud of what you have accomplished when indeed you have done a good job, especially a good job serving the Lord. What we need to remember, and what these seventy-two needed to remember, is that we are unable to do anything on our own. It is God who gives us the authority.
But more than that, we need to celebrate not the specific activity or the specific accomplishment, but the spirit in which it is done. While we may be well pleased with the fact that we were able to feed the hungry, or help the poor, or spread the Gospel message, it is more important to celebrate that God’s kingdom was served. Whenever we serve God we should celebrate more than what we have done, and celebrate that we indeed did something that brought glory and service to our loving and merciful God.
We can celebrate not just the act but the willing and trusting spirit that we have adopted.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Thank God that He has given you a willing spirit of service in addition to the skills to serve.
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