Christian Living
Disgruntled Servant or a Compassionate Captive?
II Kings 5:1-4
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! For he would recover him of his leprosy.
And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
Everyone knows the story of Naaman, but have you ever thought about the little maid mentioned in the first four verses? The scripture tells us that this little maid was taken captive and was made to work for Naaman’s wife. This was not uncommon in those days, but what stood out to me was the way she handled herself.
Are you a disgruntled servant or a compassionate captive?
This girl was removed from her family, her land and her home. She was taken to a foreign land and made to be a servant. With all of this she still had compassion!
I can’t help but think of the many times I have been a disgruntled employee. Unhappy with the circumstances around me, it was released in complaints and anger. If you are honest, most will agree this has happened to them at some point. But, lets look at being servants of Christ!
I Corinthians 9:19, 23
Matthew 20:27-28 Interesting that the Greek definition for minister is to be a servant. Yet, we often find ourselves disgruntled because we have the notion that we were ‘called’ to do greater feats. Somewhere we developed the belief that servants of God placed us in a different class, and we would be able to ride on chariots and wear fine robes. Then there are those who cannot get past what has happened or is happening in their lives. Perhaps they have loosened their grip on the Truth of God’s Word. Romans 8:28 I’ve thrown some of the biggest pity parties one has ever seen but when I got down to brass tacks I was looking at ‘me, myself and I.’ I was incapable of having compassion for those around me because I was too busy feeling sorry for myself. I was captive in the enemies’ land of selfishness, self-pity and self-centeredness. I couldn’t see the big picture or God’s purpose for my life, for being so unhappy about being someplace I didn’t like. I believe this little maid is a perfect example of how we are to react to those around us; those that make us uncomfortable; those that treat us indifferently; those that we should have served with humility and compassion. Do you know any of ‘those’ kind of people? Have you found yourself in situations or circumstances that seemed unfair? Have you ever griped and complained about those around you? This little maid could have been disgruntled! She could have easily kept the knowledge of the prophet in her land, to herself! She could have wished him bad tidings and prayed for God to get him, but she was a compassionate captive! She knew that Elisha could heal her master and she told them about it! So with this example, I wonder if there is a message of good news we need to bring to someone in our circle of influence? Is there a chance that you have been so focused on yourself that you’ve lost your white-knuckled grip on the truth of God’s Word? Take a look around you and look at the Word of God! Settle deep within that God knows where you are! He hasn’t left you, nor forsaken you! Regardless of the situation, or the people surrounding you, God is in control! The people that may appear to be holding you captive may need to know that there is a God that heals and delivers! They may not know and you may be in the position to tell them!! There may be a greater purpose to your situation! So, I challenge you to take a look at your attitude! Are you a disgruntled servant or a compassionate captive? Do you look at your captors with compassion? Or do you grumble, complain and throw pity parties? Is there a chance that you are in the position you’re in, in order to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Let’s turn our focus to the cross and off situations and ourselves. We just may come to understand the compassion Jesus had for us, and be able to spread it to those around us!
© Jounda Wadley March 27, 2006
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
This article has been read 2166 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
As ever, love Jacque