serving on the sly...

As I've tested this concept of... waiting on the Lord... for renewed energy...

...those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength...

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

I've discovered... another benefit... a change in attitude... when serving others... on the sly... in secret...

Jesus taught...

"...But when you give to the needy, 

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 

so that your giving may be in secret. ..."

Matthew 6:3 ESV

(my emphasis)

It is a humbling... spiritual discipline... to practice giving in secret... humbling... because you can't tell anyone what you have done...!

Have you ever tried to give... do... serve... in secret... without telling... ANYONE... ?

It's been hard for me in the past... the flesh longs for accolades... NOW... I want to be lifted up... thought well of... patted on the back... for service... to others...

Is it just me...? Or do you struggle too...?

Today... I've noticed an ease... in doing secret service... since recognizing... that I wait upon Him...

The serving I do... is directed by Him... I have been crucified with Christ... and I no longer live... but Christ lives in me... the life I live in the body... I live by faith... so I can't really take credit for what I've done... it wasn't my idea... it was His...

I see this serving in secret differently... as one who serves Him... waiting on Him... it is His work... that He sees... and HE KNOWS... what it is I've done...

And from this knowledge... I experience a joy... a peace... a satisfaction... in serving Him... and totally feel... and understand... the rest of what Jesus said... about secret service...

"...And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:4 ESV

(emphasis mine)

The reward... for now... is an increased intimacy with Him... a new knowledge... of what it means... to... wait upon the Lord... and... freely serve... in love... sharing a secret... with the King...