Audience of One

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)

Anyone serving God in any capacity really needs to sit down periodically and ask themselves if they are really serving God or man. Am I seeking to uplift myself and look good to others or am I seeking to do God's will? Recent events have challenged me in this area and I tell you what, it is really humbling to have to totally submit yourself to God's scrutiny. To be able to let go of something you love to do, however can be hard until you realize that if that thing or ministry or person is really in God's hands then there is nothing to worry about. I had to realize that if I was holding on too tightly or not wanting to let go, that meant that it was all about me, not about God. So when we are called to do something for God we all need to work at it with all our hearts, seeking to please God not man.

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (NIV)

Also, to take it to the next level, we are first accountable to God then the people in authority over us. I am learning to take this even one more step further. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. But the next scripture encourages us not to pass judgment on each other, to make a decision not to put a stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Well, what I am learning is that our leaders are not only human like us, but because they are accountable to God first, I need to leave them in God's hands and trust that God is in control no matter what. Our leaders will make mistakes, but they will also lead us in God's perfect plan, taking us into deeper spiritual truths. God will deal with them to both reward them and to help them through their mistakes just as He will with me. We are all one body and satan is looking hard for ways to separate us in any way he can. We all have to be so careful and be willing to tell each other that we are letting satan get his toe in the door so that he can all shut those doors and not allow any victories for satan.

Romans 14:12-13 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. (NIV)