Lately we have been contemplating this idea. This is the same God who created everything by simply speaking it into existance. Does he really need us to accomplish his work? God could do it all himself if he wanted to. Matthew tells us that God could turn stones into his people if he needed to (Mt 3.9) and Luke says if we keep quiet then the stones will cry out in praise of God (Lk 19.40). Instead, he chooses to work through you and I. Why? That's a good question - one I may not have the answer for - but I think it has more to do with what happens inside of us rather than what happens outside of us. You see, God is more interested in our relationship with him than what we do for him. I often forget this or have a hard time even believing it.
This has application in many areas.
We have been talking about the skills we have and how these should play into our ministry. For example, Andi is a teacher and I have IT experience. Does that mean we should go somewhere based on those skills and make sure to use them? Maybe God has other ideas. That we follow where he leads and serve faithfully is more important than what we do for him.
In my ministry at the county jail I often feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I don't always know how to connect to people. Sometimes no one is interested in talking. Often the same people are not there from week to week. Sometimes we aren't even allowed in. I have to try and remember that it is not what I do that is the most important - as if by my strength I could somehow reach them all - but that I do it faithfully as unto the Lord(of course, that includes doing it to the best of my abilities).
As we pray for various missionaries around the world, we constantly receive reports of one missionary or another who has been laid up or had to leave the field for medical reasons. I would think, "God, what's happening?! These people are doing your work and now it's not going to get done!" But maybe God cares more about what he is teaching that person than what they might "do" for him.
What about you? What do you "do" for God?
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1 comment:
Joel, thanks for sharing this. I'm glad you're contemplating this so early in your life and applying it. I believe this is an issue you'll relearn your whole life thru. If you can latch on to this concept and really believe it - that God is more interested in your relationship with him than in what you do for him - and practice it, then I believe you'll become more and more a godly man and a man after God's heart. It's hard when this world has so ingrained in us as Americans that we need to produce and we are evaluated and valued according to what we produce and do. Just remember that even in trying to develop your relationship with him, you can't do it on your own strength - but the Holy Spirit in you will help you and as you ask for His filling and help each day, He will empower you and give you the desire. Anyhow, I'm praying for you both as you continue to reflect on this and apply it to your lives. Jesus says to take his yoke - and I believe that means submitting to Him in all ways - and He also says his yoke is easy - so He isn't trying to make it hard for us. I love you both. Thanks for sharing so much of what you're learning and experiencing in your training. Love, Mom
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