The People God Uses

God uses people who are selfless.

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?'” John 6:8-9 (NIV)

The first question people ask during times of transition is, “How will this affect me?” If you have experienced the transition of a child moving onto a college campus, or taking on a new job assignment, or moving into a new neighborhood, or helping a loved one get acclimated to an assisted living center, you have probably have asked the question, “How will this affect me?” We are by nature self-centered and self-absorbed. Often we act as though the earth rotates around our axis. It is so easy to become self-consumed.

Maybe that’s why this encounter that Andrew had with a boy and his sack lunch means so much to me. Here’s a boy who places the needs of others before his own. Here’s a boy who has an aggressively developing appetite, yet selflessly gives up his lunch so that others can eat.

There is a valuable lesson for us to consider. It is not how much you have, but what you are willing to selflessly give in order to bless others. Jesus does not bless you based on what you have, but on how you give. Being selfish comes naturally. Being selfless is a result of walking in the Spirit. Being selfless is the product of an abiding relationship with Jesus. It is not about living the Christian life. It is about allowing Jesus to live His life in you and through you.

Maybe there is a better question for us to ask: “How will this affect Jesus?”

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
(This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.)
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell