A Marked Process

Have you ever asked a question of God, and then realize months later He is answering it? I recently realized the process I am in.   Here lies such an answering.  Months ago, perhaps nearly a year, I began a study of Peter – fascinating fellow.  He was honest, didn’t hold much back, he was first out of the boat, the one who ran, (and not so good with a sword) and at times spoke or acted before he gave much thought.  I can so relate! I too have had numerous episodes of “Oh, did I say that out loud!”  However, I got as far as, “I, Simon Peter, am a servant…”

“I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ… Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.” (2 Peter 1:1-2)

I asked the Lord, “Show me what a servant is.” May I express with a humorous twist, “What on earth was I THINKING – am I NUTS!” When I ask God to show me something, I should know by now, that means willingly being dragged through the transformation of first-hand learning, which usually results in me kicking and screaming the whole way. (Breathe)

The word servant here is HUGE, literally meaning, a bondservant.  I have revisited pages and pages of handwritten notes, as I explored the topic, I was dumbfounded, and perhaps that is why it has taken me a year to process further.  Bondservant, doulos (In the Greek).   Paul literally declared it, James said it too, it was even said of Moses, and yes, said of Jesus Himself. A bondservant is one who gives himself/herself up in devotion to another, disregarding their own interest or gain. It is completely and utterly becoming selfless and surrendering… all.  Surrendering all to the one person you formally accepted as supreme authority over your life.

In the book of Exodus, (chapter 21) it speaks of the boundaries of Hebrew slavery. In short, if a Hebrew slave serves for six years, on the seventh year they shall go free. “But if the servant declares ‘I love my master…’ then his master shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be marked his servant for life.” (vv 5-6 emphasis mine).

Servant.

It truly is a process.  A marked process. Just when I think I have laid it all down, I look behind me and there it is …more. More of me.  More attitude, more selfishness, more.  I am, however, confident my ever patient Master is pleased with my progress, (laughs at times) but pleased.  He knows my heart.  I too have a pierced right ear, with a diamond stud that my husband placed there at my request on our wedding day, signifying, my surrendering again of God’s supreme authority over my life and our life.

As Peter declared, “Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.”

Bondservant.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)