Doulos

• δοῦλος

Definitions:

i. a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

a. a slave

b. metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in

extending and advancing his cause among men

c. devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests

ii. a servant, attendant

Translations:

KJV (127) - bond, 6; bondman, 1; servant, 120;

NAS (141) - bond-servant, 11; bond-servants, 12; bondslave, 3; bondslaves, 8; both men and women, 8; servants, 1; slave, 58; slave's, 1; slaves, 39;

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In attempt to further understand the meaning of servant-hood or what it means to become a slave for God, I will take time to look known examples in the past, at their life and works, their beliefs, and how they handle the ups and downs in their lives.

Do your best, and God will do the rest.

This is one advice that I use time and again, usually when I'm in doubt, I am reminded to do my best, and God will do the rest.

I always thought this was about trusting that God will do His part when the time is right, and I just need to learn to trust Him more, but today I received some new insight upon this thought. I was reading Rick Warren's Jan 10, 2010 newsletter and the topic was Surrender: let go and let God work. And here's what it says:

Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7 (GW)

Surrendering your life means -

• Following God's lead without knowing where he's sending you;

• Waiting for God's timing without knowing when it will come;

• Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;

• Trusting God's purpose without understanding the circumstances.

There are a lot of without's in that summary, and it occurs to me that the real meaning behind the "do your best" quote, isn't just to trust God to help you out, but to surrender your life to Him.

Now I've been lost for some time, trying to go the way that God wants me to go, while not moving in fear of heading down the wrong way. I thought if I listened more carefully, I'd hear which way He'll lead me. But whilst that had worked once before, it's not the only way God does things.

So now, I realise that my next step isn't to wait, but to get up and start something. And just trust that God will appear when He chooses to and guide me through the means that He chooses. This reminds me of the Parable of the Talents. The one who dug his talents into a hole and sat there waiting for the Lord's return, is the one who's gone and done the worst thing he ever could with his God-given talents, whilst thinking much of what I've been thinking. A farmer would never get anywhere if he locked up his seeds thinking "Keep it safe, don't lose it."

So I guess, getting the engine started is the next step amongst all things. Thank you God, for this reflection.

Introduction

Hi, my name is James.

I've started this blog to help my spiritual thought path, and understand of my Christian faith through reading, and reflecting. Feel free to pop in, and read and reflect.

This blog is intended for those who are already Christian, or have questions about God. I don't intend to debate about whether my faith is the right one, but if you have questions about God, feel free to ask.

Thanks for dropping by, and thanks in advance for respecting my writing.