
Introduction
As we all mature in age and hopefully mature emotionally in our earthly walks, I am convinced that the level of success we have in our endeavors will be stunted or accelerated by the questions we ask of ourselves or of others. Be it in our careers, our relationships, our financial well-being, our family and marriage life, in any area of our lives, are we asking the right questions and to whom are we asking?
I almost failed spectacularly at my career in selling young adult clothing because I did not ask the right questions upon entering into the retail world. Once I saw my impending financial face-plant I finally wised up and started asking the right questions to the right people. It was only then I could chart a path forward to the destination I desired. The result: I have been enormously blessed beyond my expectations. How many other areas of my life do I need to apply this strategic principle of asking wise questions?
How about my daily walk with Christ? What questions am I asking? Am I even asking any questions? Or am I proceeding mechanically down my spiritual path listening to everyone else so much I’m not asking any questions of myself or the Spirit himself?
In this letter to my father, I share the answer I received to a big question. The person I asked the question to, the Holy Spirit. The question: What does it mean to serve God? My words to my father explain the answer I heard.
This letter was written on January 29, 2019
Learning to Ask the Right Questions
If anyone serves Me, My Father will honor. John 12:26
Hi Dad,
I have been thinking on this verse since yesterday. I would love to ask Jesus what He meant by these words. So, I did. These are my thoughts on what I heard.
The notion of serving Father can be very easily misunderstood. Who is serving more to further Father’s kingdom, a Billy Graham who spoke to more men and women than anyone in history about Jesus or the impoverished single mother who is fervently praying for her child every day of her life? A Hudson Taylor who opened all of inland China to the Truth of Jesus or the janitor at the school who with every movement of his broom does it to Father’s glory? The person who raised millions of dollars to fund the printing of Bibles or the elderly person who takes the last remnant of their energy to pray in faith for one more day’s sustenance? Who is serving more?
We love to quantitate everything in our culture. We want to know how much or how long about everything and this includes serving God. We quantitate things to judge and place value, this is our natural man in action. Unfortunately, we tend to do this within the believing church. “Oh, how spiritual you are, you gave this amount or you did that. You must be really close to God.” We tend to make an assessment of a person’s spiritual maturity by how much we see them outwardly “serve.” How much we are “doing” tends to be seen as the dip stick to measure the health and the depth of our walk with Jesus. 2 quarts low or full to the line?
I am convinced that the amount of any “doing” we do in our lives, a lot or little, is totally inconsequential to Father God. As with the widow putting her two pennies into the offering box versus those putting in large shares of wealth, Father looks at any “doing” of ours through the lens of our hearts. Father is much more desirous for us to “be” who He wants us to be rather than to be caught up in trying to “do” things for Him.
Right “being” on a daily basis will always direct and empower right “doing.” If our “doing” flows out of right “being” then the “doing” is powerful. It is full of the right power, that of the Spirit. This type of “doing,” the kind that is inspired by right “being,” energizes the doer because it is actually Father doing the "doing" through you. The “doer” can stand back in awe and clearly recognize that it was Father, not them, who is at work.
We “serve” the Father when our hearts are fully submitted to His Lordship. We serve Father when we are resting and abiding in Him on a daily basis. How that will look for each one of us will be different and I have no right to cast judgement on what right “doing” looks like for anyone else. The only person I can be concerned about in the categories of “how much and how long” or "doing" is myself.

I need to regularly check to see what is prompting me to “do” stuff. I need to test myself. “Each should test their own actions.” Galatians 6:4 NIV. Is my “doing” Spirit directed or is there another motivation? Before we “do,” it might be wise to ask Father for His wisdom and direction. We are told if we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us. James 1:5.
I need to start my day by coming to Father and seeking Him first, asking His Spirit to walk with me, in me, so that I might “be” His “will” for this particular day. The “doing” will take care of itself. Father is so patient. If I mess my “being” up, He is so quick to say to me, “Steve, it’s OK, you will ‘be’ OK. Let’s start anew tomorrow, I want to ‘be’ with you and within you.”
“If anyone serves Me, My Father will honor.” NKJV
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21 NIV
“Christian service is not our work, loyalty to Jesus is our work.” O. Chambers
“The greatest service we can render God is to fulfill our spiritual destiny.” Oswald Chambers (And this is to be “one” with Him as Christ is “one” with the Father) parentheses mine
Love you Dad!
Your comments are welcome below!
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Great reminder to examine our hearts and do all as into the lord all else will fall short .