Mosaic (Aug 8)
- Amber Thiessen
- Aug 9
- 4 min read
Back at home this week, we dropped our son off at Bible camp, and I’ve been diving into the usual post-trip shuffle—going through closets, trying out a new recipe, and attempting to fill the freezer with some ready-made meals for the weeks ahead.
Catching up at home can feel overwhelming, especially after time away. There’s laundry piled high, a house that somehow collects dust faster when you’re not there, and the endless list of things that “really should” get done. The to-do list grows while my patience shrinks. This week I noticed myself getting irritable, frustrated that there wasn’t more time in the day to catch up, and maybe a little resentful that there was so much to do in the first place.
It was in that mental grumble that Jesus’ words to His disciples came to mind: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
That’s not exactly the verse you reach for when you want sympathy for being tired. It’s not, “Come to Me and I’ll make your life more efficient,” or, “Here’s a secret to getting everything checked off your list.” Instead, it’s a reminder that the very heart of our Savior’s mission was to serve—and to serve sacrificially.
That reorients me. My life isn’t about keeping everything in perfect order or making sure I never fall behind. The model Jesus gave wasn’t one of personal convenience or unbroken rest. His servanthood was costly, inconvenient, and poured out for others. If I’m following Him, that means my own inconveniences—whether they’re as small as a messy kitchen or as big as an unexpected life interruption—are opportunities to live like Him.
And here’s the thing: that doesn’t mean ignoring rest, neglecting your needs, or pushing yourself to burnout. Jesus also withdrew to quiet places to pray, He slept in the boat during a storm, and He welcomed moments of fellowship with His friends. But when the needs came—when the people gathered, when the opportunity to serve presented itself—He didn’t shrink back. He didn’t sigh and say, “This really isn’t a good time for me.”
Maybe, like me, you’ve had a week of small frustrations. Or maybe you’re facing a much heavier kind of overwhelm. Whatever it looks like, Jesus’ pattern for us is the same—service anchored in love, offered with humility, fueled by the gospel. We don’t serve to earn God’s approval. We serve because in Christ, we already have it. And that changes everything.
Where have you felt overwhelmed this week? How might Jesus’ example of humble service shape the way you respond?
On the Blog
⏳ When was the last time you sat still—without an agenda—just to be with God?
Even our Bible reading and prayers can get rushed. They become another task on the to-do list instead of moments to truly linger with Him.
In Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God, Samantha Decker offers a gentle reminder: life isn’t about doing less for the sake of it—it’s about reordering our days around Christ so we can be present to what He’s doing in and around us.
One idea that really stuck with me? “Front porch time”—setting aside space without an agenda, simply to pray, listen, and be attentive to God. It’s such a simple practice, yet one I often forget in the busyness of life.
If you’re feeling stretched thin or rushing through even your spiritual practices, this book may be just the reset you need.
"My Father…if it be possible…nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt. 26:39)
A hospital room filled with beeping monitors.
Flip-flops on African sand, heavy with grief.
Exhausted limbs and a heart broken in the dark.
These are the moments that drive us to our knees. And in Gethsemane, Jesus shows us how to pray: with honest anguish, yet with open-handed trust in the Father’s will.
In Articles
Everything Changes, But God Doesn't | Melissa Edgington
I needed this reflection on changing seasons and the steadfastness of God.
5 Truths About Your Physical and Spiritual Health | Jen Oshman
"Both body and soul require care...you only get one of each." Jen encourages us to build healthy routines and grow in community as we take care of both body and soul.
Taking Phone Addiction Seriously | Reagan Rose
"Everyone's addicted, but nobody cares." How's that for an opening statement? We all acknowledge smartphone addiction and its negative effects—but what are we actually doing about it?
As our oldest enters high school, phone use has been on my mind and part of our family conversations. But it's not only how to lead her well, but also us personally. Reagan’s point about being willing to be inconvenienced hit home for me. I use my phone to steward daily life—managing the calendar, grocery list, activity tracking, and communication. But it raises the question: am I willing to sacrifice convenience when it stops being just a tool and starts becoming an idol? Good food for thought.
Everything Matters | Christa Threlfall
Our sin matters. Our good works matter. "Everything you do today is shaping who you will be tomorrow, next month, and ten years from now...be diligent to fight sin, and. beencouraged in the seemingly invisible good works you do. God is using all these things to make you more like him."
Comments