Matthew 20:28 says on the outright that Jesus, the Son of Man, did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

We, as Christians, are called to live a life like that of Jesus Christ. Yet, most of us probably still struggle in matters of pride and arrogance. Humility, as per various online sources, is defined to have a modest or low view of one’s own importance. How many of us can truly say that we do not treat ourselves as VIPs? When picking a restaurant with our friends, do we honestly prefer that which would make our friends happy or that which we like (even if no one else will be amused with the choice)?

In simple and complex things in life, we are called to serve just like Jesus did when in one of the probably most memorable narrations in the Bible, He washed the feet of His disciples.

Have you served anyone today? Or are you the ‘boss’ of everyone?

I was riding a cab today and suddenly felt nauseous. I was thinking what the reason could possible be and decided to stare at a random object faraway. It was upon seeing the very much blurred image that I realized that once again, I forgot to wear my eyeglasses.

During that cab ride, I got to quickly reflect about life. For quite a lot of times in my life, I’ve had instances when God has already directed me on what I need to SEE and act upon regarding different matters of life such as my career, relationships, purity, and even ministry. Almost every time though, I decide to “take off my glasses” for just a short time (and for my convenience) and find myself forgetting about it and “leaving it at home” the next day.

While the solution to have clear vision is at hand, we choose to go with what’s easier and more comfortable and make do with the blurry surroundings and the migraine that goes along with it.

Is there something that God wants you to see clearly or do today that you’ve been avoiding? Would you rather suffer with your blurry vision than follow Him?

Who or what is number one in your life? Is it any of the following:

• Your personal happiness?
• Your pleasure?
• Your career?
• Your money?
• Your family and friends?
• Your current/future significant other?
• Your physical prowess?
• Your skills and abilities?
• Your ministry?

I am quite guilty of putting my hope in things of this world. When I wake up in the morning, #1 on my list are my friends as you’ll often find me checking Facebook and Twitter within seconds upon opening my eyes. As the day progresses, my career and money become tied at #1 on my list as I struggle to find a way to earn a living. While in the office, the top spot goes back and forth between my skills and my future significant other as I find myself placing my hope in these two things to get me by in life. When I go home and I am unable to resist temptation, pleasure takes the spot. And during the weekend, it becomes ministry and family time.

Reflecting about it, Jesus is missing majority of the time in my heart. Even the 2 hours I spend in church which should be devoted to worshiping Him get lessened as I am oftentimes distracted. And, while I always say that all the praise belong to Him for everything happening in my life, based on how I live, I give myself, other people, or other things the glory.

This is a good time to check and see if there really is no one and nothing else but Jesus in your life. Where do you place your delight, hope and strength? Who do you actually praise?

Graphic by Roxy Navarro

As humans, it is very tempting to become proud especially of things that we worked hard for. Most of us give tithes & offering yet have a subconsciously obnoxious attitude towards the Lord as if to say, “Lord, that money, which is a fruit of my taking on two jobs, could have gotten me a new car but—fine—I’ll give it to you instead.”

In Psalm 50, we see a picture of how God’s people also offered Him sacrifices in the form of burnt offering just like how they did in the Old Testament times. Verse 7 onwards strike us however as it says:

Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak; Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial. This is God, your God, speaking to you. I don’t find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer. But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds? (The Message)

Numerous commentaries show us that the people took pride in their sacrifices, thinking that giving and offering something would somehow appease God’s fury for their sins. Doesn’t that scene remind us of ourselves sometimes? We tend to bribe God with an amount in proportion to the magnitude of our sin. Yet do we really think that God NEEDS what we want to give? Psalm 50:10-13 say,

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

Here, we are reminded that God does not need what we outwardly give. He knows every creature in this planet, and in comparison, I can’t even differentiate dog breeds.

While God does not bring charges against us for what we sacrifice, what does He actually look at? The heart. The next verses of Psalm 50 show how God is displeased with those who do not follow His commands, and we see that what’s more important for Him is that we obey, as this is how we show our love for Him.

We won’t be asking you if you have sacrificed a great deal of time, money and resources for God. Rather, we ask, have you obeyed God?

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Graphic by Kimberly Ong for Salt and Light Mag