The Work
God has a job for you to do. Did you know that? Did you think God only has jobs for pastors and missionaries? We aren’t just put on earth to eat, sleep, find entertainment, and die. We have been specifically designed to do work for God. His work doesn’t always feel like work because it is so perfectly suited to our passions and the way we were created. The biggest problem we have with doing the work God has given us to do is learning to discern His voice so we are sure we are doing His work for us and not what we think should be done. Wouldn’t it be great if we woke up each morning with a memo in our emailabout the specific work God wanted us to do that day? In Acts 13:2, we read,“While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Perhapsthis verse helps us see the mystery of knowing which work God wants us to do.These folks in Antioch were serious about God. They were devoted to Him. Theyshowed their devotion by worshipping the Lord and fasting. How much time do youspend actually worshipping the Lord and fasting? Could the absence of spiritualfocus be the reason you do not know the work you are asked to do?
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in ChristJesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Thisthought blows my mind. God is the Master-planner. He has to be. I know that Hehas planned works for me to do that I didn’t do because I was too busydoing work He didn’t call me to do and messing up other ways He was tryingto work. How does He continue to re-offer the call to the work after I have messedit up so much? I don’t know how, but I know He does, and I’m verygrateful.
Doing the work God has called me to do means that I have to actually look, listenand be attentive to what He is saying to me each day. I need to have eyes tosee and notice the Spirit’s leading to some specific works on a daily basis.In the meantime, I settle my mind by doing the work I know He has called me to:caring for my family, ministering at my church, praying for the world, and writinginspirational messages.
On specific days there will be extra work assignments that will delight me butI might miss without God’s leading. He might want me to linger over lunchto encourage a friend, rather than get on with my to-do list. He might want meto feed the ducks at the park, or write a note.
I imagine this scene in Acts 13 when the Holy Spirit told the people who weregathered to worship and fast that they were to set apart Barnabas and Paul. Ithink they were all surprised to have the same leading by the Spirit and as onestarted to speak it out about what he felt in his heart, then the next one spokeit too. The way Luke writes, it makes it sound like they immediately left ontheir mission trip, but I’m sure it took lots of listening to God and makingthe effort to do the things that were required to get ready for their adventurewith God.
Open your spiritual eyes to see the work you are called to do today. |