Carry On

DEVOTION
GALATIONS
CARRY ON

Gal 6:3-5
3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
NIV

I have often wondered if I am guilty of this offense. Do I think I am something? I dare say I have to put this to rest once and for all. I know I am nothing within myself. I do not deceive myself on bit. True I have a certain amount of brain power, and I possess a certain amount of skills with my hands. I do have some talents in the arts, with a degree of creativity. I am pretty much able to do anything I set my mind to and yet I still am nothing when I compare myself to God. I do have a certain sense of pride in myself when I accomplish some task, especially when I have not done something like that before. However I do not think I have such a high opinion of myself in regards to others. There are many people who possess such great abilities and intellectual prowess which absolutely diminish mine to that of a dung heap. But all this is for nothing anyway for I am not to compare myself to anyone else in any sense or situation. It matters not who great or same anyone else is; I am only to concern myself with my own actions. How do I respond to God and to others in the course of my walk with him is the sole focus of my being. Even to compare the gift God has bestowed upon me to that which he has bestowed upon others should not be done. He is the sovereign God who decides how to use each of his servants in the way which best benefits his kingdom. I do believe I have been called to assist some of my fellow believers in their walk with God but that still is my response and testing of my own actions. My obedience to the will of God in my life is above all else. I cannot live my life with the idea I am as good as others, or better or worse than them. I cannot look at others with their faults and think “at least I don’t do that”. I can only test me according to the exam God has passed out for me to take. Do I measure up to his standard? Do I fulfill the call he for me? Do I carry my own portion? Am I doing all I can do as the part of the body of Christ that I am? Do I depend on someone else to do my part? Do I now say “let the younger ones do it now”? Have I assumed the retired mode within the body? Is there every a time when I give up being that part of the body I was called to be? I believe I much carry my own load, do my own part for as long as I am here. No matter what others do or don’t do, no matter how much of their own responsibilities their fulfill or not, I am obligated to carry on until God sees fit to call me home. I have no aspirations of greatness in this life but only to serve my Lord to the best I am able. That is my quest. I will carry on.