Daily Power #296

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)

Jesus had just finished ministering when his disciples realized their Master had not eaten in a while. Never one to miss a teaching opportunity, Christ said, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (John 4:32). Now, if your mind is a bit odd like mine, you might imagine the disciples thinking, You’ve got food we know nothing about? Maybe some of those new fig-and-olive power bars under your robe? Do you have pockets in there? Sneaking lamb kabobs from the temple concessions?

Maybe we’re not so weird after all, because the disciples also took the Lord’s response literally. “Could someone have brought him food?” they asked (John 4:33). But Jesus was talking about something much more substantive than lunch. Basically, he told them, “My food is to serve God. My food is to please him. My food is to complete the assignment that God sent me to do. My food is to do the will of my Father and to finish his work.”

God wants us to contribute rather than to consume. When all of culture says, “fill yourself,” God tells us to fill others. He didn’t create us to be takers. Our Father created us to be givers. Rather than focusing on our self-centered desires, God calls us to focus on the needs of others. Instead of cutting to the front of the line, God calls us to wait at the end.

He created you to serve.

Power Lift

I hunger for your Word, Lord, and I want to serve those around me like the example of your Son. Today let my food be the satisfaction that comes from serving you and putting others above myself.