Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 1 Free!Sýnishorn

Joyless Drudgery or Blessed Service?

Have you ever felt less than other believers? Less successful or blessed? Maybe even loved less by God? This endless cycle of mental comparison was no stranger to the older brother in the story Jesus told in Luke 15. Where does this mental mess start, and how can this miserable state end?

The older brother had a slaving mindset. He had toiled for years, trying to please his father. The slaving mindset is about production. It's a life of continual labor. In contrast, followers of Jesus are invited to work out of rest in grace, knowing they are already accepted and have no need to earn the Father's love.

In Exodus, the Hebrew children under Pharaoh give us a snapshot of the life of slavery. The ruler oppressed them, demanding more while giving them fewer resources.

On the other hand, children of God have every resource they need in Christ.

The life of slavery is lived under accusations and mistreatment for being unable to fulfill demands.

The child of God knows there is no condemnation in Christ. The loving Savior’s promise is for every believer - “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

The enslaved person knows there is little concern for their best interest. The master says, "Jump," and the slave jumps, knowing it might not be high enough.

The son or daughter knows that a loving Father has planned good works for them. He knows what works would give them the most joy and bear the most fruit because He is their fantastic designer, having fearfully and wonderfully made them.

The older brother seemed to lack sweet memories in the father’s house. But our God invites us into an intimate fellowship where we enjoy His presence. He loves hearing our voices; we can come to Him anytime. We serve out of this blessed partnership, our union with Christ.

What’s your mindset? Is it that of slaving for a master or partnership with the Father? Joyless drudgery or blessed service?

Do you want to stop the miserable mind games of comparison that lead to a treadmill of exhausting performance? Remember this simple fact - You are God's favorite. There is no one He loves more than you.

Reflect and Respond

Do you tend to think of yourself as God’s slave or His beloved child? How would your thinking change if you heard the Father’s words to you, “You are always with me, and all I have is yours”?

Pray

Lord, by your Spirit, remind me that I am Your child. Remind me that You delight in me, not simply in the work I might do for You. Amen.