{Shane Sevo.com} » Amid a Crowd of Paltry Things…

It takes Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator–the next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next step in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiasm and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian has to partake of what was the essence of the Incarnation, he must bring the thing down into flesh and blood actualities and work it out through the finger tips. We flag when there is no vision, no uplift, but just the common round, the trivial task. The thing that tells in the long run for God and for men is the steady persevering work in the unseen, and the only way to keep the life uncrushed is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the Risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to damp you. continually get away from pettiness and paltriness of mind and thought out in the thirteen chapter of St. John’s Gospel.

~Oswald Chambers; My Utmost for His Highest, March 6th

My Utmost For His Highest: Limited PB Edition
Author: Oswald Chambers

Occurrences in the 13th Chapter of John’s Gospel

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

We oftentimes overshoot Jesus’ example in our ambition and in so doing undermine everything that is His calling.

John 13:12-17

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13″You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:34-38

34″A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

37Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Categories: Perseverance, My Utmost for His Highest, Bible Study