Taking Dominion by Washing Feet

The King of the universe came to conquer the world. His method?
Washing feet.
"For you were called to freedom, brothers (and sisters). Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13"

We young women are in a time of preparation. But what we choose to do with that time matters.

"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16" 

If I am careful to be “wise”, I will look for things that grow me, prepare me and equip me to serve the Lord, and I won’t get consumed with things that would hinder me from that.

I think young girls can often make the mistake of living in a “holding pattern” of waiting and preparing, forgetting that God has given us so much to do and so many ways to serve Him in this moment, during these years. So I’m trying to focus on what He has in front of me and not miss the simple opportunities He gives us to live a life of purpose for Him.

The Lord has really challenged me lately about what Scripture says is one of our root purposes here: to serve!

As I’ve studied the Proverbs 31 woman, I have observed she is always productive, reaching to the needy, working willingly with her hands, using her gifts to benefit her household and those around her. At the heart of everything she did, she served.

I think we often miss what it really means to follow Christ. Even with all the opportunities to pursue our gifts and interests, as a Christian, our number one calling is to learn to die daily to ourselves and to serve as He served.

But we live in a culture that completely rejects “this dying to self.”

I have the biggest opportunity to serve every day right in my home. My family is in a season of many little ones right now, and this is the time that I am needed most. These are the days I am daily called to die to self. And I’ll admit it is hard sometimes. Rejecting fleshly nature does not come without great sacrifice, prayer, and discipline.

My home is no less a mission field than an orphanage in Africa. I have so many opportunities in a day to give unto the least of these, and though it’s not always easy, and it requires that I daily dies to self. there is a peace and contentment that comes as I obey.

Not only does cultivating a serving spirit minister to our own families daily, but it brings opportunities to help others in need when the moment arises.

Last year I had the opportunity to serve in the home of a mother of four who had recently lost her husband and oldest son in a car accident. She just needed someone to help with meals and house management and keep the children happy and distracted. Because my mother so diligently trained me, and I practice this within our home, I was ready and available to help.

As a daughter, if I am not preparing myself to serve even now, as a mother I will be disillusioned when I am called to daily lay down my life for my spouse, children and God.

Some of you might say “But I get made fun of! I don’t fit in doing this serving stuff. I don’t want to be different.” Again Jesus says in John 15

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Let us daughters aspire to our highest calling. Let us be prepared for the highest honor we’ve been given. To lay down our lives for others.

"And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35"