“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:17
Our weekly Christian devotional
“Welcome to the Gap. Can I help you find your perfect fit?” The sound of my own voice is frightening.
But, I suck up my discomfort and force a smile through my teeth. It’s my way of apologizing for the potent sales pitch.
My lack of enthusiasm had me banished to the back of the store by the middle of my shift. I was then reassigned the even duller task of re-folding jeans.
Attempting to make the best of it, I bop my head to the Depeshe Mode song that had already been played at least fourteen times.
“So, how do these look?” A stout woman stuffed into a slim fit shuffles in front of me.
I glance over my shoulder, pausing for a second. “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes…I think…” The toes in her socks curl up in slight fear.
Flashing a smile, I lower my voice. “My best friend has your build and Gap jeans never seem to fit her. Go to Express and try on their boot cut. I’ll bet those will look amazing on you.” I wink and quickly turn back to folding.
The customer turns to see what caused my quick retrieval.
We both hear the keys jangle from the manager’s pocket as she saunters our way. Her eyes shine like bright laser beams of fake sincerity.
“Those jeans would look fabulous with this sweater.” Grabbing a cardigan, she holds it up to the customer. The nubby knit didn’t do the girl justice, but the price tag read: seventy nine dollars…
One thing I learned that day was honesty is NOT the best sales policy. Soon after, I stopped trying to force a fit that wasn’t working for me. I left that place in search of a job that was better suited for my (brutally) honest ways.
I believe God created people with different personalities and temperaments for specific reasons. It’s because He has a very personalized vision for your life.
When we fight our gifts and talents and try to fit into the mold of what ‘society’, our parents, or any one else who might be influencing our lives, we limit ourselves in so many ways. Most importantly, doing this limits God’s power from filling our lives.
In Romans 17:14, we are encouraged to follow peace. When we do, this puts us in the proper environment to nurture righteousness and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Many people believe that serving God should ‘feel’ like a chore. But after carefully reading Romans 17:14, I beg to differ.
None of us do God any favors when we miserably meander through life. How can anyone desire what we have when we are lacking contentment in our own lives?
Serving God should be a joyful experience that stretches our natural abilities, turning them into supernatural gifts that will hopefully inspire others to search for what we have.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
For some reason, I was fearful that if I chose to serve you, I would be living a miserable existence. But, Romans 17:14 is helping me to see that is not what you want for my life at all! You aren’t the cruel god so many portray you to be.
In serving you, I’m promised that I would find new joys and a deeper way of living life. Serving you will also help me to enjoy righteousness and experience true peace and joy. These qualities are so rare in life that many people believe they are impossible to have.
I have tried the world’s cheap substitutions. I never found joy in toxic relationships or peace in the bottom of a bottle.I know you did not put me on this planet to suffer a miserable existence. I have been searching for happiness my whole life. Perhaps, I have actually been searching for you, Lord.
Today, I give up trying to be what I’m not supposed to be. I’m willing to let you show me what your dream for me is. I won’t fight it—because I know it’s actually the best path for my life anyway. In Jesus’ precious name, thank you for your patience with me. Guide me, Lord. I’m ready now. Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: Romans 14:17
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan