What Is the King Asking of You?
By Dave Bolt
A True Story
History remembers Joshua standing before the people of Israel at Shechem. His voice carried both freedom and urgency: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” He laid out stark alternatives — the gods of Egypt, the gods of the Amorites, or the Lord Himself. The choice was real, yet the direction was clear. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua understood something vital: God dignifies us with freedom, but He never leaves us without guidance. Choice and direction belong together.
Works Prepared in Advance
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
This changes the frame. Our lives are not random. The opportunities, assignments, and acts of service in front of us are not just accidents of circumstance — they are pre-written chapters in God’s design. We do not invent the mission; we discover it.
Service as Kingdom Strategy
Jesus set the tone: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28). Kingdom greatness is measured not by status but by service.
Galatians 5:13 drives it deeper: “Serve one another humbly in love.” Service to others is not an optional extra for the believer. It is the living proof of our faith. It feeds the hungry, binds up the brokenhearted, and makes the invisible God visible.
The Hard Road of Service
But let’s not pretend this call is easy. Jesus also said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
Serving others is often sacrificial. It demands putting off our own desires, embracing responsibility that stretches us, and choosing obedience when self-interest calls louder. It does not always feel good.
History remembers figures like Mother Teresa, who chose service over comfort. She walked away from privilege to care for the dying in the streets of Calcutta, embodying what it means to take up the cross daily. Her life was not comfortable, but it was deeply meaningful.
This is the paradox. As Hebrews 12:2 reminds us, Christ Himself endured the Cross “for the joy set before him.” Obedience, rooted in love for the Father and fuelled by the joy ahead, carried Him through. In the same way, our sacrificial service pleases the Father and anchors us in lasting purpose. Maximum responsibility becomes maximum meaning.
Seek First the Kingdom
Jesus gives the order of priority: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
That means:
Priority — The Kingdom before provision.
Alignment — Our works must reflect His justice, mercy, and restoration.
Provision — God handles the rest when we pursue His reign.
The Kingdom is not a bolt-on to life; it is the organising centre.
What the King Is Asking
When the noise clears, what is the King actually asking? Scripture answers plainly:
Micah 6:8 — Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.
Matthew 22:37–39 — Love God fully, love neighbour deeply.
John 15:16 — Bear fruit that lasts.
In other words, He is asking for your heart before your hands, obedience over sacrifice, and presence before performance.
Relationship Before Assignment
Mark 3:14 is striking: “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out.” With Him first. Sent out second.
A personal relationship with Jesus is not a side element of faith; it is the engine. Without it, service becomes duty. With it, service becomes joy. Remaining in Him is how fruit endures (John 15:4–5).
Choices and Direction
God gives us choice: “Choose this day.” But He also gives direction: “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
The tension resolves in surrender. Our choices open the door; His direction makes the path straight. It is freedom under guidance, love under Lordship.
From Dave’s Desk
If you strip it back, the King is not first asking for your strategies, projects, or even your service. He is asking for you. Your heart, your trust, your presence. Out of that intimacy flows the works prepared long before you saw them.
For me, this is what TenXed is about. It is more than building systems. It is about people. It is about coming alongside the founders and leaders of charities who are often weary, overextended, and carrying heavy loads. Just as Aaron and Hur stood with Moses and held up his hands so Israel could prevail (Exodus 17), TenXed exists to hold up the arms of leaders so their mission does not falter.
Yes, that means strengthening strategy, programs, finance, media, and governance. But at its core it means supporting the person — the leader — so they can endure, flourish, and lead with resilience. And this is where the 10X blessing comes in: when one leader is sustained, their one thousand becomes ten thousand. Their reach multiplies, their people flourish, and their legacy carries forward.
At home, loving Ellie and our children is not just family duty; it is Kingdom ministry. And in my personal walk, staying with Jesus is not just spiritual maintenance; it is Kingdom life.
The question for all of us is simple, searching, and daily:
What is the King asking of you, right now?
Seek first the Kingdom, and you will find both purpose and power.
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