Monday Morning Devotion – 3/5/07 (What Do You Want?)

The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:35-39 (NIV, emphasis mine)

This Sunday my pastor preached on this passage and he asked us two questions:

1) If you get to where you’re going – is that the place you want to be?
2) If you find what you’re looking for – what else will you need to make you happy?

These questions were right on target to what has been going on in my life lately. I am an RN and have been going through a rough path in my job. I have a non-medical QA person evaluating my performance. I was on ‘probation’ and did five days of ‘re-training’ to learn how to do a history and physical. I spent my time silent at the workplace while shouting and wrestling with God in my spirit.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT, JODY?” My answers came very much from my flesh at first! I admit that! My answers finally came in line with my Jesus’ example and I asked for peace. I asked for the peace and strength to walk the path that I had been given and received it when I was obedient to Jesus’ invitation to “come” and “ see”. I went to Jesus and spent time in His words. His words came to me in print (the Bible), in music, and in my spirit. Jesus is faithful.

When I came to worship this past Sunday, the questions posed by my pastor spoke directly to my job. I am NOT defined by this job. I am to represent my Lord in my job with integrity and humility. But who I am in this world is BELOW who I am to God. The ‘happiness’ that may come from promotion or titles is so fleeting and so subjectively dependent upon a person’s standards and does not have the ‘joy power’ of living my life on Jesus’ standards. When I have received a big promotion and celebrated my achievement, the next day I am thinking about “What do I have to do to keep this?” and find myself making decisions based on keeping the boss or supervisor happy – not just doing what is right or best.

“Come and you will see” is a promise. God makes promises. God keeps promises. He wants to teach me His ways. He wants to show me the best place to be. He wants to give me what will TRULY make me happy and give me joy. Jesus has the answer to the questions. Jesus loves me – this I do know. J

“You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter) [the Rock]. John 1:42 (NIV)

Peter wasn’t THE ROCK on this day when Jesus spoke these words. Simon did “come” and did “see” – and became THE ROCK that Jesus could use to build His kingdom. So – I will continue to “go” and I will continue to “see”.