May I?

 Have you ever played the game, "Mother, may I?" where you have to ask if you "may" before you can take the giant steps the leader gives you?  Almost always in the excitement of being given a good command, the person would forget to say, "May I?" and have to go back to start.

There is a parallel in the way human nature responds to God's call on our lives.  Ephesians 2:10 reminds us "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Notice God has already prepared the work we should do.  However, the fallen-nature flesh response is, "Do I have to?" instead of our rightful choice, "May I?"  It is a privilege to do things for and with the Lord to extend His kingdom, not a burden.  Didn't Jesus say "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."? 

It has everything to do with our attitude and our faith that result in gratefulness to be chosen to lay down our life for Him.  Jim Elliot clarified the choice with his statement, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Even David refused to offer to God sacrifices that didn't cost him something. (2 Sam 24).  The bottom line is that whenever God asks you to do something, from caring for a child to routine chores around the house to trying to help somebody, there always is a cost.  However, in Paul's words, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

 "Unasked for" advice is criticism. This certainly is a good rule for healthy personal relationships.  Taking it a step further to the Lord, He doesn't need our advice but rather our obedience.  He loves a cheerful giver.  Whenever we give of ourselves, our time, our effort, our sacrifice, God sees and surely will have an eternal reward.  Lay up your treasures in heaven.

Rather than grumble or complain about current chores and responsibilities, ask, "Lord, may I do what you desire?"