A Life Spent for the Body
As a candle gives light by being spent, so the life of Jesus in us shines as we pour ourselves out for others.
Devotional Credit:
Abide Above – Miles Stanford
Photo Credit:
Unsplash
In today’s devotional, Miles Stanford reminds us that spiritual growth begins personally but matures into something far greater. At first, our longing to grow in Jesus is centered on our own transformation. This is natural. We need to be anchored in Him before we can pour into others. But as we walk the path of maturity, our focus shifts. The hunger for Jesus in our own life blossoms into a sacrificial love for His Body, the Church.
This transformation means that our care for others is not just in words, but in laying down our own comfort, recognition, and preferences for the sake of another believer’s progress in the Lord. We cannot lead someone to a place we have never gone ourselves. Just as Moses spent years in the wilderness before guiding Israel through theirs, so we are prepared in hidden seasons before being used to guide others. True ministry is not about pointing out defects from the sidelines, but about letting the Lord remove them in us so that we may walk alongside others with grace.
Stanford uses the imagery of being “poured out” for the Church. This is not an abstract ideal. It is the daily choice to weep with those who weep, to wait patiently for those still growing, to love without demanding anything in return. It means our identity and joy are not tied to our own personal spiritual progress alone, but also to the building up of the Body. Our walk becomes less about how far we have come, and more about how we can yield ourselves for the good of others in Jesus.
This kind of life mirrors the character of our Father toward us—His patience, His gentleness, His careful leading. It reflects the joy we have in His presence and the unity we share in His Son. In doing so, our own life becomes a living expression of Colossians 1:24, joyfully embracing the cost of serving His Body because our eyes are on the eternal reward found in Him.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I have drawn you to Myself so that My life may flow through you to others. You are a branch joined to the Vine, and the fruit you bear is not for yourself alone but for those I place around you. I call you to share in My heart for My Church, for every member is precious to Me.
The comfort you have received from Me is now yours to extend to others. Just as I have been patient with you, be patient with them. As I have carried your burdens, be willing to bear theirs. This is not a work of your own endurance but the outflow of My Spirit who lives in you.
You do not need to seek recognition, for you are already known and loved in Me. You do not need to protect your own interests, for your life is hidden with Me in God. When you lay down your life for another, you are walking in My steps, for I came not to be served but to serve and to give My life as a ransom for many.
Let your joy be found in the growth of My Body, for when one part is honored, all are honored. Do not measure your ministry by what you see in the moment. Trust that I am working in ways beyond your sight. As you pour yourself out, you will find that you are continually filled with My love, for you are drawing from My endless supply.
Scripture References: John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, Colossians 3:3, Mark 10:45, Colossians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 12:26, Philippians 2:3–4, Ephesians 4:15–16
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a candle in a dark room. As it burns, the candle is consumed, yet its light fills the space for everyone present. The candle does not preserve itself but gives of itself so others can see. In the same way, when we yield to the Lord to serve another believer, our time, energy, and even comfort may be spent, but the light of His life shines brighter into the lives of those He loves.
Today, when you encounter someone who is struggling, resist the pull to stay in your own comfort zone. Let the Lord’s compassion in you reach out. It could be a listening ear for a friend, a meal for a neighbor, or quiet prayer for a weary soul. As you do, you can say, “Lord, I trust You to love through me right now,” knowing that the flame of His life will never burn out.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, thank You that You have not only saved me but joined me to Your Body. I rejoice that my life is hidden in You and that Your Spirit equips me to serve with love, patience, and joy. Thank You that my worth is secure in You, so I can pour myself out without fear of being overlooked or forgotten. I praise You that as I give, You are my continual supply. May all that I do today be an overflow of the life You have placed within me.