2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44 ESV, 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV, Psalm 88:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 25:20-22 ESV
Daily Verse: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1 ESV)
PISTOS (4103): “In the active sense means “believing, trusting.” In the passive sense, “trusty, faithful, trustworthy.”[1]
Believing trust.
Timothy addresses those people who want to watch over the flock. Trustworthiness marks the character of an elder. Becoming a leader in the church has a noble task before them. They must maintain pure hearts and not let pride lead them in their decisions.
When people look to you for guidance, basing their actions on words you say, the responsibility weighs heavily on them. Becoming a devotional writer intimidated me as people began seeking my advice. Underqualified describes how I felt.
But God provides wherever He guides and keeps our hearts in check. Staying humble requires daily submission to the Lord. Allowing the Creator to search your heart will keep you in check for the work God calls you to do.
Daily cleansing.
Becoming a trustworthy servant of the Lord requires a daily cleansing of the soul. Each day, when you quiet yourself before the Lord, spending time in His presence will impact your life. As you follow Jesus, you become more sensitive to the sin in your life, which allows you to address it.
Following Jesus makes you a leader. People who know you before Christ will see the life change. Each day, as you apply Jesus’ teaching to your life, you become more like Him and less like your old self.
Five decades of following Jesus changed me drastically. My juvenile prayers of selfish desires became a longing to connect with God’s will for my life. Instead of judging others, I try first to understand them and their story. And forgiving those who hurt me takes work, but with God, I can.
Most of all, I remember that everyone I meet has an unseen battle. Everyone experiences pain and suffering. They don’t need judgment; they need unconditional love, the kind Jesus offers.
Become a trustworthy servant of Jesus by making time with Him a top priority in your life. Let God do the transformation as you submit your life to Him.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 202) Thomas Nelson
