Walking the Process Path

When Jesus said “I’m not going to call you servants anymore, but friends, “it wasn’t because they’d gained some ethereal level of enlightenment, or because they’d earned it through their performance. It was in part, at least, because He could see they were beginning to embrace process. They were learning He wanted a more powerful relationship. Yes, He was their Lord and master, but He didn’t want to be their puppeteer. He wanted to work with them, grow them, and show them how to thrive in Him no matter what was happening around them. This wasn’t going to be the end of the world as they may have thought. It was the path to a new kind of kingdom.

I don’t want to diminish Jesus as Master. He is Savior of mankind, Creator of the universe, and Master of it all. Servanthood is a foundation of honoring Him and loving people. Part of you will always relate to Him as a servant, but that’s not all you are. Not to Him. In His kingdom, you are royal sons and daughters. Your Father, the King, loves to raise you in the ways of the kingdom. I see so many who live their lives as the third servant in the parable of the talents: so afraid of failing God as His servant, they bury every blessing and opportunity He gives, instead of investing and growing them as His joyfully bold sons and daughters.

If you can only hear Him as a servant, you’re going to miss knowing Him in the relationship He intends for you. When a servant hears in his or her heart to speak to someone about God, it’s done out of obedience. Obedience is paramount, but when it’s the goal, the focus is on one’s own performance, not on the person being spoken to. Often that focus relies on doctrine, methods, even manipulation to get the person to agree with a position, and doesn’t really introduce people to the living Christ. A son or daughter views that person as a long–lost sibling, and sees who their Father has created them to be. They love, bless, and heal unconditionally. They’re so secure in their relationship with their Father, they delight to share it with others regardless of outcome.

Jesus is the master of upgrade. He loves to promote you as you immerse yourself in an ever-increasing awareness of His righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14). He is inviting you to trust Him as your friend and as your Father, letting Him grow your faith from day to day as His child. He is the way, the truth, the LIFE. Life grows, and so must we. Process isn’t often easy, but the results are always sweet. If you’re in process, don’t quit. You are learning the ways of royalty.