People Aren’t Projects (In)

Read The Daily:
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.” – John 17:6

We all know what it feels like to be used. And let’s be honest—sometimes we’re the ones doing the using. Whether we realize it or not, it’s easy to slide into relationships that are more about what we get than what we give. But that’s not how Jesus lived. In John 17, He’s praying to the Father, and He says something so profound: “I’ve revealed You to those You gave Me.” He saw people not as projects or pawns, but as gifts—divine assignments to love and serve. Every person in His life was there on purpose, for a purpose.

I remember standing up front afterwards one Sunday when a guy I didn’t really know came walking toward me. And I’ll be real—I couldn’t read his face. Not smiling, not nervous, not angry… just locked in. My internal alarms started going off like, “Welp, this is it. I’m about to get punched at church.” But he didn’t say a word. Just reached out to shake my hand—and slipped me a Texas Roadhouse gift card. No explanation. Just walked away. And I’m telling you, I felt more loved in that moment than I had all week. Because that wasn’t a transaction. That was someone being led by love, not trying to get anything back.

See, one of the enemy’s tricks is to twist our motives. He’ll tempt us to use people as a way to fill our emptiness. One of the temptations Jesus faced was to turn stones into bread. Now, that may sound lame unless you’ve been fasting for 40 days (or unless you’re on a low-carb diet). But the real temptation wasn’t just food—it was to use something for His own gain instead of trusting God’s timing. And we do the same. Culture tells us to chase pleasure, take what we want, and use people to get there. But Jesus shows us a different way.

Jesus didn’t use people, He served and loved them

He didn’t use people. He served them. He didn’t see people as roadblocks or rewards—He saw them as relationships to steward. And that’s the Spirit life. Maybe today is your chance to pause and see the people around you—not for how they can help you or validate you—but as gifts God’s entrusted to you. Pouring out love, one person at a time. What if you stopped seeing people as roadblocks or rewards and started seeing them as opportunities to reflect God’s love?

The Self life says: “Use people to feel good.”
The Jesus (Spirit) life says: “Love people to see the good”

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

4 x 6 Plan | Read: Mark 8:1-10 & 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied. So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.  Mark 8:1-10

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately. Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.  1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Read More – Bible Project Overviews: Mark, 1 Corinthians