Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BROKEN (12/06/18)
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TITLE: Let Me Go! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Lawrence
12/08/18 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Irritated, I asked myself if that was true. Yes, but he was a self-centered, hard to satisfy teenager. I did enjoy doing things for people — when it was my idea, and when it was appreciated.
His words niggled at me, though.
I set aside a day to seek the Lord’s perspective of servanthood. He pointed to His mother who willingly identified as a bondslave, a handmaiden. He pointed to Himself as the Master who came to serve, to my privilege of being His priest, serving God, the King of Kings. My self-centered occupation appeared a puny job compared to being the servant of God, His Majesty.
The Lord was counseling me on how to shake off irritation, resentment, or whatever name should be given to my peevish resistance to my family telling me how they wanted to be served. Let’s call it indignation — a stranglehold of indignation that prevented me from freely, joyfully giving of myself. I wanted this stranglehold broken.
Taking thoughts from the many passages I read, I put them in words I set to music:
I love Thee, Master, and all Thy children
Because they belong to Thee.
Why should I not want to serve them
When You have done so much for me?
Freedom from the yoke of servanthood
Means only that I then serve me.
Why serve myself when I instead can be
The Servant of God, His Majesty?
I hear You whisper, “If you will serve them,
You’ll also be serving Me.
I’ll lift your burden, take all your anger,
For my yoke is light and easy.”
My Lord, my Master, this truth sets me free —
Free to give my heart willingly.
Help me remember this, my vow to be,
The Servant of God, His Majesty.
Irritation and indignation returned time and time again, but every time I remembered to sing this song the anger dissipated instantly.
It was a few years later I took my stressed out Mom for a five day getaway.
“A few days of pampering and you’ll be refreshed and able to cope again,” I promised. I brought tea cups and videos and lotions and potions. I wanted to serve. And Mom was eager to be served for a change.
I offered a foot rub, which was appreciated, but she asked me to rub her legs also. That was irksome. But okay.
I planned a picnic, but Mom wanted a swim first. “Okay, go ahead,” I sighed.
“But I want you to go with me.”
I chuckled. “No, Mom, I just did my hair. I don’t want to get wet.”
“But I want you to come.”
“You go ahead.” I urged her. “We’ve plenty of time.”
“But I want you to go with me — and I want you to do it cheerfully.”
Oooh! I could feel the heat rising within me. Mom just sweetly smiled and went to the pool.
Indignation roiled, but I got into my swimsuit. I slid into the pool, hanging on, angrily kicking in place with all my might. Mom got me into the water but she couldn’t get me to be happy about it.
Giving up on me, Mom left the pool to get dressed. I stomped around the pool, fuming, asking God how I could spend the afternoon with her when I was so angry.
Suddenly I remembered — SING!
“If you will serve . . . I’ll lift your burden, take all your anger . . .” Laughter bubbled up as I sang. How could I forget! I want to be the Servant of God, His Majesty! Indignation dissipated. The stranglehold was broken once more.
Years later, I again found myself fuming, stomping out a prayer walk, telling the Lord what I thought was wrong with my husband. I almost tripped when the Lord reminded me that I had forgotten my song. “Oh Lord, put an awl through my ear. I don’t want to forget my vow to be Your servant.”
Then came the idea to pierce my ears — on Good Friday, the day my Master was pierced for me. A bit dramatic, perhaps, but I’ll do whatever it takes to remember that Jesus has broken the stranglehold and I am free to serve Him willingly.
I Peter 5:2; Galatians 5:13; Revelation 6:10; Matthew 20:26-27; Luke 1:37; 17:9-13; John 13:16; 15:14; 15:20; Deuteronomy 15:17
Memoir
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