Recently someone sent me an email with some “Christian one-liners” (Thanks Eileen!)

Perhaps you’ve seen some of them. They usually highlight comical aspects of the faith or funny things that kids say. 

One of them in particular grabbed my attention. It was funny, but also provided a reason to pause and reflect on how we view our relationship with God.

Here it is. “Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.”

!

First, it says that many people want to serve God. True. A consistent refrain throughout the Bible is that God’s people are considered servants. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus says: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Jesus even says that he “did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 20:28).

Second, it plays on the idea that some people are advisors, which is a certain kind of servanthood. An example would be an adviser to a Prime Minister or President. Those people are also considered servants.

However (and this is where the humour comes in), God doesn’t need advisers. In fact, “his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3). And yet, some people seem to think that they know better than the Almighty.

Of course, no one is going to admit that they know better than God and want to serve as his advisor. But when they dismiss what God says in the Bible, or when they thoughtlessly contort what it says, or when they live as if their way is better than his way, or when their subtle selfishness begins to take over, isn’t that what they’re suggesting?

This is a warning for all of us, myself included. 

-Do we actually trust that God knows best? 
-Do we engage in due diligence when it comes to understanding and interpreting his word?
-Are we growing in selflessness or selfishness?
-Do we strive to serve God or simply to get him to serve us?

“Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.”

When we’re being honest, we can’t look in the mirror and conclude that he’s the one needing the advising.

Let’s take our lead from the Lord.

“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:3).

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.