Oswald Chambers on Being God's Alone

COULD THIS BE TRUE OF ME?

But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself. Acts 20:24

It is easier to serve God without a vision,
easier to work for God without a call, because then
you are not bothered by what God requires; common
sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian
sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful,
more leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call
of God. But if once you receive a commission from
Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will
always come like a goad; you will no longer be able to
work for Him on the common-sense basis.

What do I really count dear? If I have not been
gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear,
time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself.
Paul says he counted his life dear only in order
that he might fulfil the ministry he had received;
he refused to use his energy for any other thing.
Acts 20:24 states Paul's almost sublime annoyance
at being asked to consider himself; he was
absolutely indifferent to any consideration other
than that of fulfilling the ministry he had
received.

Practical work may be a competitor against
abandonment to God, because practical work is
based on this argument - Remember how 'useful
you are here, or - Think how much value you
would be in that particular type of work."
That attitude does not put Jesus Christ as
the Guide as to where we should go, but our
judgment as to where we are of most use.

Never consider whether you are of use; but
ever consider that you are not your own but
His.

Oswald Chambers
Surrender to God
the call of God
spiritual vision