March 7

Whose Agenda?

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me (John 12:26).

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Song: “Close to Thee”

The speaker for a weekend women’s conference was well-known and greatly admired. Esteemed as a loving and wise Bible teacher, she would be ministering to masses of eager ladies. What a thrill it would be to meet her personally.

Delores, a minister’s wife attending the event, was surprised when conference organizers invited her to be “handmaiden” to the speaker. Accepting the assignment meant Delores would be available to the speaker at all times during the weekend, staying close by her, ready to provide anything the speaker needed or wanted. It also meant she would give up her own agenda, including quick shopping trips, naps, or meals with friends she hadn’t seen for a long time. Delores would be keeping the speaker’s schedule and agenda, not her own. She accepted the invitation.

Although she gave up things she had looked forward to and would have enjoyed, Delores found even greater blessing and delight being constantly in the presence of a godly woman she respected and admired. During the weekend, Delores learned and experienced things she could not have learned and experienced without being a “handmaiden.”

Jesus likewise invites us to give up our own agendas and follow His. Yes, we relinquish some things, but He promises that we, as His servants, will be where He is. What a great honor He offers us: to be always in His presence.

We are humbled, Gracious Jesus, that You invite us to be Your servants. What we give up is nothing in comparison to what we gain. We are grateful. Amen.