The slave who wants to be served

Luke 17:7-10 says, "Which one of you having a slave tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? Instead, will he not tell him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink'? Does he thank that slave because he did what was commanded? In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, 'We are good-for-nothing slaves; we've only done our duty.'"

I am a terrible slave. I keep forgetting my place. On the rare occasion when I do what God wants, I want a big pat on the head, for my house in Roanoke to sell, a new Hyundai Veloster (sweet, by the way) and other things that I think will make me comfortable. After all, God, I really put myself out by going to church this week and...wait for it...I tithed, well at least it was 10% of part of what one of us makes, so come on! Show me some love! 

This blog has served as a place for me to beat myself up a little bit, and for the most part I deserve it, but these verses just cut me to the core. I'm the guy in these verses. I expect my master to make my dinner for me after I've done even a small piece of what was commanded. In reality, I should have the attitude that I've only done my duty, and I'm really good-for-nothing apart from the good works that God has set out for me to do in advance. I couldn't even come up with them, had he not done the leg-work beforehand.

Kate and I are at a crossroads...again...about what we are supposed to do next. Funny how often that coincides with circumstances that are difficult for us to see through. If life gets tough, the tough figure out a way to change their circumstances? I don't think that's what He wants. He who has begun a good work in me is totally able to complete it, and He will do it! What that means is He will do it even if I constantly get in the way by evading the circumstances He intends for my growth. I must be SO FRUSTRATING!

Lord, I'm a good-for-nothing slave and I have yet to even do what you've commanded me! Give me faith to believe that your plan is so much better than my stupid desires for comfort! Blech. I'm sick of my own mediocrity. Do SOMETHING with me!