I recently had the opportunity to meet a fellow Christian from Jamaica, who now lives in Louisiana. It was very cool because the Jamaican culture is similar to the Belizean culture and talking with him brought back fond memories of Belize. A mutual friend introduced us and within five minutes of talking with the guy I was very clear about one thing... he was passionate about being fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

He must have said, “I just want to be used by God”, twenty times in our first conversation. No kidding, at least twenty times. Further discussion brought up the subject of the church. He told me what church he attended and who his pastor was. When I told him that I know his pastor he proudly bragged, “Pastor Thomas helped me unpack my spiritual gift.”

I don’t know about you but these aren’t the things I’m accustomed to hearing from today’s Christians. I wish it was, but it’s just not. Come to find out he began his walk with God back in Jamaica where it’s customary to encourage new Christians to ask God how they should serve Him. Then he moved to the states for work and God placed him in a church that values the idea of being fruitful as a Follower of Christ. The whole thing seemed like second nature to him because he was taught that this is the plan that God has for His kids. Imagine that.

I was immediately inspired and convicted. Do I value this idea in the same way he does? Do I value it enough to live it and to teach it to those with whom I have influence? Hard questions.

The fact is, I tend to focus more on what God can do for me rather than what I can do for Him. I have a feeling, though, that I’m not the only one who would rather just be called a servant of God than to actually live like one.  Ouch!


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