Have you ever wondered what made some slaves choose to stay with their masters during the Year of Jubilee? These bondservants willingly allowed their ears to be pierced, marking them as those who chose love over freedom.

In James 1:1 NKJV, he calls himself a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This wasn’t about being trapped—it was about recognizing that life with the Master, who happened to be his brother, was better than life out in the world.

As I think about my own faith journey, I realize there have been countless moments when I could have walked away from God. Times when His ways didn’t make sense, when the world’s solutions seemed easier, when following Christ felt costly. Yet something kept drawing me back: the undeniable goodness of my Master.

The bondservant’s pierced ear was a testimony. When people saw that mark in the marketplace, they’d remark, “Wow, his master must really be good for him to want to stay!”

What marks do we bear that show the world who we serve?

• Is it the peace that passes understanding during difficult seasons?
• The joy that bubbles up despite circumstances?
• The way we love the unlovable?

Your life today is writing a story about your Master. Whether you’re navigating family challenges, workplace stress, or personal struggles, people are watching. They’re wondering if this Jesus you follow is worth the commitment.

The beautiful truth is that God’s goodness isn’t dependent on our circumstances. His character remains constant whether we’re in seasons of abundance or seasons of testing. The bondservant didn’t stay because life was easy—he stayed because he knew his master’s heart.

What would it look like for you to embrace the bondservant mentality today? To stop fighting for your own way and instead trust that your Master’s plans are good? To wear the marks of His ownership with pride rather than shame?

Remember, you’re not just any bondservant—you’re a bondservant of the King of Kings. And that changes everything.

Please be in prayer for me as I walk through the rewrite of Loving the Me God Sees, based on the book of James.

Let’s Stand Strong Together.

O Lord, thank You for caring for Your children.
Thank You, for providing a way when there seems to be none.
Allow others to see in me what a good, good Master You are.
Give me the courage to reach for You when others oppose Your existence.
Fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit.
To You, be all glory, honor, and praise.
Hallelujah. Amen.