Press the arrow to listen to Brandon Heath sing “Give Me Your Eyes” while reading today’s devotion on the humility of ministry.

Scripture
Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” John 4:8

Observation
Males the world over have learned that the fastest way to get a woman to do what they do not want to do is to look helpless. When men stumble around in the kitchen or fumble around for keys and the nurturing instinct of the female is aroused and she speaks the phrase the male longs to hear: “What are you looking for?”

Jesus looked helpless and he got far more than a drink of water, the heart of a woman in need gushed out her deepest secrets and found peace with God. There is a habit in his ministry for Jesus to appear helpless. He asked Peter to borrow his boat. He asked John to care for his mother. He asked the servants to fill the water jars. He asked the little boy for his lunch.

The thought of the eternal Son of the I Am, the Creator of all, and the Lord of all asking for help is quite disarming. Jesus asked for help not because he needed it, but because we humans need all the help we can get.

Jesus asked for help because there is no faster way to both flatter and humble a proud person then to be obligated to their assistance. While Peter felt inward pride that Jesus was using his boat as a pulpit, little did he realize that the Master had begun the first step of humbling the crusty fisherman’s heart.

Application
Jesus has asked me to serve him, not because he needs my help, but because I need his. Every act of ministry humbles me, because my pride is revealed. I must remember in my vain moments, that he, who used a donkey to preach a sermon to a prophet, has many ways to get his work done. God has stooped low to use me. He has chosen me to humble me so that I will open up my heart to his so that I will follow him.

Prayer
Father, thank you for asking me to help you. I know that I need it. You are doing more in me than through me. Do your work in me more deeply. Amen.