ROMANS 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God

TO PONDER

The apostle Paul was a lot of things. He was a Jewish scholar, a Roman citizen, an ex-persecutor of Christians. He was often a prisoner, he was a missionary, he was a tent-maker (see Acts 18) but in all of these things he was called and set apart by God to [proclaim the gospel of Jesus. Whatever else he might have been we see here in his introduction in his letter to the Romans he considered himself a servant of Christ.

Most of us wear many hats too, we might be parents or children, students or teachers, employers or employees, friends or colleagues button all of these things we are also servants of Christ. As hs servants, it should always be Jesus who sets the agenda.

Sometimes we let the other roles we have set the agenda rather than Jesus. Even Paul made the occasional plans that ultimately did not seem to line up with what God wanted, Paul usually figured that out in time to realign his plans with God's. We can do that too if we are just willing to be prayerful and to be observant in watching and listening to what God is doing. God knows we have varying, and at times conflicting, commitments but he has a wonderful way of making everything that is necessary part of his plan for us.

So, if the pile of hat's you are wearing feels like it's so tall that it is about to topple off your head, then consider starting with the righteousness of Christ and his call on your life. If you put that hat on as the foundation, he'll find a way to make the others fit.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given me roles in my family, in my community and workplace and in my church community. Help me always to remember though the the most important call I have in life is to follow your son Jesus, in whose name I pray, Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.