He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8

Devotion

How did you decide what you were going to do with your life? When I was growing up, not a lot of kids got to go to college. It was a pretty big deal in my family to get that opportunity, so when it came my way, I thought I better focus my study on the thing that seemed to have the widest array of opportunity—business. I built my life around doing just that—business management—for 17 years. About eight years into that career, I became a Christian. And about nine years later, God called me into vocational ministry.

If you don’t think God has a sense of humor, you should’ve met the “me” that started working full-time for a church in 2006. Looking back, I’m a bit embarrassed to tell you that I just figured God had invited me into full-time ministry because he had seen all that I had done in the business world and thought, “I need her to do that for me!” Yes, I know how that sounds. It’s why it’s even harder to admit that a couple of years into full-time ministry, I came to the stark realization that I wasn’t sure you would know I was a Christian unless I told you. Praise God that he is able to work through us while he transforms us.   

It is our human tendency to make things about us, isn’t it? Following Jesus, if I’m not careful, can become more about making myself known than it is about making his name known. Our desire for control can take control of, and distort, the good things that are meant to shape us into his likeness and restore our relationship with God. We are all searching for God’s purpose for our lives. But what if we are complicating that? 

What I’ve learned throughout the years is that God most desires my heart to be postured toward and available to him. How I serve him is secondary. Throughout history, God’s people have consistently mixed these two things up; it’s not a problem unique to our day. The Israelites struggled with these same things: for years they tried to please God with their religious sacrifices, and when they couldn’t, they gave up and their hearts became hardened.

The latter is what had happened in the days of the prophet, Micah. The rules and rituals that had been created by man were impossible to keep, and many people had turned away, even worshiping idols. But God continued to pursue his people and desire a relationship with them. And in Micah 6:8, God speaks through Micah to tell his people that he desires three things: justice, kindness, and humility.

Some things haven’t changed since the days of Micah … the rules, rituals, and idols have just evolved. There’s good news, though—if God has pursued the hearts of his children for thousands of years, he is still in pursuit of yours and mine.  

To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God isn’t possible if our hearts aren’t soft and loving. And our hearts won’t be soft and loving if they aren’t postured toward our risen King and Savior. I can’t be just and fair if I’m angry and bitter. I’m not able to show kindness and offer mercy if I’m thinking of myself above all else. I won’t walk humbly surrendered and obedient to God if I believe I deserve to always call the shots.

What if our purpose in this life and on this planet is to love God and love others well? Then it becomes less about us and our purpose and more about him and his. We have been invited to join him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22 that these are the greatest commandments. Maybe it really is that simple. Notice I didn’t say easy. I don’t think it’s easy. I do believe it’s worth it, though.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you that you never give up on us. Thank you for your Son, Jesus. Help us to live daily with grateful hearts, postured toward you. Take our humble offerings and use them as you see fit. Help us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kim Gilliam
Mayfair Location Associate Pastor 

Resources

• Watch the Unlikely & Reluctant by Pastor Bill Search.
• Listen to The Only Way by Crossings Venue Worship.

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