But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32
“Of all the parables in the Gospels, that of the prodigal son affords, I think, the supreme illustration of the way to please God. The father says, “It was meet to make merry and be glad” (Luke 15:32), and in these words Jesus reveals what it is that, in the sphere of redemption, supremely rejoices His Father’s heart.
It is not an elder brother who toils incessantly for the father, but a younger brother who lets the father do everything for him. It is not an elder brother who always wants to be the giver, but a younger brother who is always willing to be the receiver. When the prodigal returned home, having wasted his substance in riotous living, the father had not a word of rebuke for the waste nor a word of inquiry regarding the substance. He did not sorrow over all that was spent; he only rejoiced over the opportunity the son’s return afforded him for spending more.
God is so wealthy that His chief delight is to give. His treasure stores are so full that it is painful to Him when we refuse Him an opportunity of lavishing those treasures upon us. It was the father’s joy that he could find in the prodigal an applicant for the robe, the ring, the shoes and the feast; it was his sorrow that in the elder son he found no such applicant.
It is a grief to the heart of God when we try to provide things for Him. He is so very, very rich. It gives Him true joy when we just let Him give and give and give again to us. It is a grief to Him, too, when we try to do things for Him, for He is so very, very able. He longs that we will just let Him do and do and do. He wants to be the Giver eternally, and He wants to be the Doer eternally. If only we saw how rich and how great He is, we would leave all the giving and all the doing to Him.”
Watchman Nee or Ni Tuosheng (1903-1972) in Sit, Walk, Stand (Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 1977) 16-17.
Happy Sunday. I just got to my hotel room in Seoul. When this posts I will have been here only about one hour. I am here with about 8,000 stewards to speak and do a workshop at the World Evangelical Alliance Global Assembly. I thank God for this opportunity to serve.
Often, people ask me how I manage rigorous travel. The answer is simple. I don’t try to do anything for God. I let Him do and do and do. He is both Giver and Doer. He asks me to serve as a conduit of His giving and doing, I pray people see me as just His surrendered servant.
Today’s post reminds me of two things that are central to my life. Surrender and Generosity. When we daily take the posture: “Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.” He responds with instructions and gives us whatever we need to serve Him.
Sometimes the challenges seem overwhelming. Other times the obstacles appear insurmountable. All the time He proves faithful. We need only trust Him to give, and give, and give again. He wants to be the Giver and Doer eternally.
What challenges do you face today? What obstacles seem greater than your capacity or ability to navigate? Surrender them to Jesus. Stop trying to be the giver and the doer. Serve instead as His conduit of blessing so people can see Him through you.
As I look ahead at my week, I pray for the well-being of my family. I anticipate the privilege of activating seven GTP on demand courses serving 600+ stewards from 30+ countries. And I speak twice to at this huge global assembly, praise God.
Thanks for your prayers. Surrendering and celebrating the generosity of God. With you.