When You Feel Used, but Look Like Jesus

I didn't grow up any where near a Christian environment. So, now that I am walking with God it creates interesting conversations every time the family and I get together. One of the most common things that I hear...

The whole religion thing, Christianity, it is just a crutch.

And, let's be honest, from the outside looking in it could look like that. But the truth is, following Jesus is the furthest thing from easy. Walking obediently into the dark where you don't know the outcome... that's anything but a crutch. It's scary. It's rough around the edges. It's messy. 

Show me someone who is willing and obedient to what God has for them and I promise you'll see someone who isn't happy all the time, who is scared, who is for the most part, just trying to do the right thing that day. 

Our ultimate destination is Heaven, but here on earth the goal is becoming more like Jesus. Reflecting Him. Surrendering our desires and taking on His.

It's the process called sanctification. ​The process of being slowly changed by God to look, act and think more like Jesus. 

​For a lot of us, that is our prayer: "Lord, help me to be more like You!" We sing songs with lyrics like, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours!"  Or songs like Oceans or Captain and ask God to bring us to something amazing--pledging to follow Him where ever. 

But what happens when He answers those prayers and you're left feeling discouraged? 

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life
​—a ransom for many.” ​Matthew 20:28

Ministry is about service. Service to the Kingdom, to the women you minister to, to the people on your staff team or to your families. Serving others. We serve because Jesus served first. 

So, if our prayer is to become more like Jesus (and it is!). We can't be surprised when we are treated like a servant. 

When we feel used. When we feel discouraged. When we feel like a servant, we are feeling like Jesus felt. And while it doesn't always seem like a good thing, it truly is. If you're feeling like a servant it means that you've probably acted like Jesus recently. 

So put your shoulders back and look forward with ambition and determination. Jesus will come along side you, He will help you every step of the way. And take the feeling of being used and turn it into a sign to keep running in your lane.
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About Jacque

​Jacque is the Missional Women Intern and a college student in Denver, CO who balances her time between trying to go to class and learning about His saving grace and perfect love as much as she can.  She is a twenty something, DIY attempting, Jesus loving, Denver living, small town rooted, Colorado sports fan.  She loves black coffee, long conversations and watching people do what God created them for. You can find her Christian Twenty Somethings blog at Desperately Dependent. ​

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