According to the Old Testament a Hebrew servant (or slave) was to be freed after six years. However they could choose to stay after the six years if they so desired. If they chose to do this they had an ear pierced with an awl as a sign to the rest of the world that they had become a permanent servant, or as stated in the word, a bond-servant for life.
(Exodus 21:2-6)
James calls himself a bond-servant of God and of Jesus in James 1:1. As Christians we too become bond-servants, committing our lives and putting our freedom under God’s control. We have chosen to be servants of God for life.
Metaphorically, rather than having our ear pierced, we have to allow our hearts to be pierced for Christ.
My prayer for us this week:
“Lord God, our hearts have been pierced; we are your bond-servants. Trusting that this tumultuous tremendous triumphant truth takes trials to a new understanding, we seek divine appointments that take us out of our comfort zone, yet closer to you. In Jesus name, amen.” James 1:1-2
by Alec Niemi
Photo Credit: Heather LaBone
Some rights reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/