“Life is so unnerving for a servant who’s not serving.”

Most of us have watched Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and know the song I’m referencing. But have you ever stopped to think about this line?

As Christians, we serve the Lord and joy to be called His servants (among other titles).

But sometimes we feel burnt out and take a rest that’s not in the heavenly to-do list. Rest is good, but too much of most anything can end up a bad thing. Do you find yourself “lying around the castle” when there are people to serve– when there is our Lord to serve?

Do you feel whole when you’re not waiting on the Lord? If you feel comfortable not being useful then (if I may, and pardon my harshness, but) you may have fallen into one of the Enemy’s favorite traps for Christians — laziness. Here are three things to remember when you’re tempted to stop working for the Master.

1. Unlike the servants at the Beast’s castle, we have our Lord always at hand, and we do not have any right to a few moments to serve ourselves. It is He that has made us, and not we ourselves. It is His right to take up every moment of every day of our lives!
2. Unlike the servants at the Beast’s castle, we have a Lord who is completely benevolent and deserves our best efforts as we wait on Him and serve Him. Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men. Our work as His servants is what others see just as much as they see His ruling. If we work poorly, we lie to a watching world about  our Master’s true disposition.
3. Unlike the servants at the Beast’s castle, we have a Lord who stoops down to help us and to be our rest when we get tired. He knows our frame and remembers we are dust, and has gifted us a yoke with Himself, so that He can take the brunt of any trying circumstance that may come our way. He is both gentle and mighty, and loves walking beside us and serving us as we serve Him. 

Seeing all these blessings laid out, it’s crazy to think that so often we miss out on these blessings by sitting out, lying around, and avoiding our consciences. Life ought to be unnerving when we kick against the pricks and stall from whatever God has called us to! What pride that we should call our laziness better than God’s calling! I pray God that He continue to graciously remind us that when we walk in pace with Him, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Remember, the safest place to be (and the most restful, fulfilling, and joy-filled) is inside of God’s will. And His will is that, whatever the circumstances, you use what He’s given you rule over (your actions and reactions, your words and responses) to glorify Him. A mark of maturity is the lack of laziness. Show your faith in and faithfulness to your Master by your patient service to Him.

Bearing your cross is surrendering your ‘right’ to do nothing or your own thing to obedience to Christ whatever the circumstance. No sugar coating or cherry picking: it will often be hard, harder than you would think possible. But walk with Him yet! He will be with you, He will strengthen you, and He will always love you. The suffering of the present is not worthy to be compared to the coming revelation of glory or even the fellowship that comes with sharing in His suffering.

I’ll see you along the Way!