Have to vs Want to

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;

 the LORD hears when I call to him. Psalm 4:3

I recently spoke at a Men’s breakfast and the theme this year was based on Ephesian’s 4:1 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”.

My thoughts were focused on the word “worthy”. When I think of something of worth or valuable concerning our walk with the Lord I think of being responsible or faithful.

One of the things that I would be told when I was in my addiction was that I am to take responsibility for my actions. People would say you have to become responsible. I have to say that being responsible was a burdensome task. I would look at responsible people and think to myself “they don’t look very happy”. Then I began to study God’s word and I came across a different suggestion, “faithful”.

I began to look at people who I would consider faithful and think, they are responsible people who had joy.

So when you think about what you do, you can some it up this way, Responsible people are “have to” people and Faithful people are “want to” people.

Have you ever been around a “have to” person? I have, and sometimes I am one. But the next time you find yourself in a “have to” kind of mood, remember God calls us to be a cheerful giver. So turn that frown upside down because when you become a “want to” person, than you realize we “get to”. After all you won’t find “Well done good and responsible servant” in the Bible. Amen!

– Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time member of the America’s Keswick team

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 17-18; Hebrews 12

Quote of the day: Be persuaded, timid soul, that He has loved you too much to cease loving you. Francois Fenelon

Bible Memory: It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:71-72 ESV