Who are you serving?

Picture an orchestra. There are many parts that work together to create beautiful music. There is a conductor, musicians, and instruments. Life is very much like an orchestra. Jesus Christ is the conductor. He leads us and is in control of the music (our life). The Holy Spirit nudges us in the right direction just like a musician leads an instrument. Without the musician's steady hand, the instrument cannot create music on its own. It is a worthless vessel. In the same way, we cannot do anything without God.

John 15:5 says,"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Are you letting God be your conductor? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to urge you in the right direction? Or are you becoming a worthless vessel?

The key to allowing God to use you is abiding in Him. But, how do we abide in Christ? The answer...is we must listen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Notice that this verse doesn't say, "Always pray and ask God for things." No, it says that we need to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks. It's God's will.

When Jesus came to earth, He did God's work. All of His words and actions were of His Father's. Jesus exemplified this verse. He rejoiced always, prayed continually, and gave thanks in all circumstances. He listened to His Father and obeyed in everything. He was constantly in communion with God so that He could do His Father's will. He abided in Him. He listened. He waited. He followed even into torture and death.

In order to be used by God, we must abide in Him like Jesus did. We must listen. The relationship with God cannot be all about us. If all I ever do in my life is ask God for what I want, that is not a relationship. That is using God. God is perfect. He is all powerful. He is everything. Do we honestly think we're big enough to try to use God - that there won't be consequences if we attempt to do that? I think sometimes we put God in a box and underestimate His wrath. The reality is, it's by His grace that we are even alive.

We need Him in every area our lives. He upholds us. His breath is in our lungs. He holds our beating hearts.

John 15:7 says,"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

When we remain in Christ, our lives are transformed. It's not an over night thing. He changes and molds us into the person He wants us to be. It takes time. But, it's during this time that we start to want His will. We want to obey Him. The key in this verse is not that He will give us whatever we want, whatever that may be. The key is we will get what we want because it will be His will. We will want to be used by God when we abide in Him. And He will use us.

In America, our lives become all about us. We want everything for ourselves. We are selfish. We think that if we stand on our own, we will be happy. We think if we succeed by the world's standards, we will find joy. That is a lie. We will only be happy when we abide in Christ and follow in His will. If we're not following God, we're following the Devil. It's as simple as that. There is no middle ground. You can't serve two masters.

So who are you going to follow?

Picture from http://www.pletz.com/blog/orquestra-sinfonica-de-sorocaba-toca-na-hebraica/