Daily devotion – Privilege to serve.
1 Timothy 1:12 – “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”
To be given the opportunity to serve the Lord is always a privilege, and it should always be treated as such. Here Paul reflects on being counted faithful. Many people long for things on the “high shelf,”in relation to serving the Lord, but in doing so they often neglect the far greater call — simply to be faithful.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me” — Paul reminds us that he was entrusted with the gospel not because of his own strength, but because Jesus enabled him. That enabling flowed from being counted faithful. Faithfulness prepared Paul to be used by God.
Too often we view Christian service as a matter of volunteering. But in truth, as believers, we are not volunteers — we are servants. We are bondslaves of Jesus Christ, and faithfulness is the expected response of such servants.
The encouraging truth is this: you don’t have to be especially smart, talented, or gifted to be faithful. Faithfulness is practical, steady, and possible for every Christian in the place God has put them.
Many delay faithfulness, saying, “I’ll be faithful once I’m in that position or when I have that opportunity.” But that is folly. Faithfulness begins now, right where you are. It is proven in the small things.
Question to Ponder: Am I being faithful in the little things God has placed before me today?
Lord Jesus, thank You for enabling me and counting me worthy to serve You. Help me to be faithful in the place You have called me, whether in small things or great. Guard my heart from pride, excuses, or delay, and teach me to serve You with steady devotion each day. May my life reflect Your faithfulness, and may all I do bring glory to Your name. Amen.