A Slave

 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

Romans 1:1 NLT

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Paul used the word "doulos" to describe his relationship to you. Doulos is translated to "slave, servant, bondservant." Although an adopted son into the family of God, Paul chose to make himself a slave. Dr. Steve Schell writes, "With these few words he tells us he has abandoned his rights and given over all control of his life in order to serve Jesus. He has fully surrendered himself—his self-protection, personal comfort, daily agenda, finances and more—to do everything in his power to spread the Gospel."

This description of "doulos" shines a bright light on how much Paul willingly gave up to be set apart as an apostle for the Gospel. Moreover, it illuminates all that I value above the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Can I fully surrender my self-protection? Dropping my fists and laying down my arms when I feel confronted, cornered, and attacked? Can I fully surrender my personal comfort? Renouncing my need and desire to be always at ease, surrounded by what brings me pleasure? Can I fully surrender my daily agenda? Allowing the Holy Spirit to dictate where I go and to whom I speak, being fully interruptible at any moment? Can I fully surrender my finances? Understanding that what I think I own isn't mine—it's entirely the Lord's and He gets to choose where I invest His resources. Can I fully surrender all these things in order to spread the Gospel?

Gracious Lord, today I choose to surrender. May every day be a deeper surrender to You than the day before. You have full permission to illuminate the areas of my life where You desire deeper surrender from me. May my surrender to You cause Your Gospel to spread.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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