2 Tim 1:11-12 JBP It is this Gospel that I am commissioned to proclaim; it is of this Gospel that I am appointed both messenger and teacher, and it is for this Gospel that I am now suffering these things. Yet I am not in the least ashamed. For I know the One in whom I have placed my confidence, and I am perfectly certain that the work He has committed to me is safe in his hands until that day.
Observation
We can forget when we start to judge our efforts by the world’s standards, settling down into what we consider possible based on past experience or human limits, that creation, all power, victory and knowledge of the future, everything that has been and ever will be, all rests in our God and that everything is safe in His hands. We see the disarray around us and feel as though things are out of control, morality is falling through the cracks, times are desperate. The prophetic words of Isaiah and Jeremiah seem to be suddenly relevant to our times. Because we have His Spirit and life working within us, we want to fix things, restore godliness in our culture, make people wake up and smell the coffee (The lovely fragrance of grace and salvation in Christ), to draw them out of this present darkness into His marvelous light.
So, we get busy doing all that is humanly possible to make it so. In our good intentions, we can forget that when He decides that a thing will be done, it is not an “if” but a “who, how & when” question. He has THE plan that will succeed (no question here!) and has offered to let us partner with Him in the implementation. Our participation may require sacrifice (setting aside our own plans, giving up our own rights, investing inconveniently and generously of our time/talents). His directions may leave us baffled at times because they seem to lead in the wrong direction or along a serpentine path. If He asks us to be the “who” in a venture and we set off on our own and in our own strength to do it, we will fail His plan for our participation in THE plan even if we gain human praise for our accomplishment and form of success in the world. Our God will seek and find someone else who will listen and obey whatever He asks to accomplish His eternal purposes.
Impact on Me
I should be wise enough by now to never set out without soaking my next efforts in prayer and submitting my plans to the Lord. I want the witness of my life, my words, my actions to be always sharing the Gospel. I want to live by, “Share the Gospel. If necessary, use words.” I want my life to demonstrate why being in Christ is better than anything the world can offer. I do not want to limit what God can do with my obedience, allowing His goodness, kindness and grace to season all that I do. Nonetheless, I don’t always take the time to listen well and sometimes get drawn off into what is good to do that keeps me from what I am called to do.
How do I discern the difference between what is good to do and what I am called to do? How do I avoid being distracted from my specific part in God’s plan by filling up my time with so many good things that I neglect the necessary time alone with God and His Word so I can hear how and where He is asking me to devote my time? It is a fine balance. I serve several ministries at church, attend Home Group, do my morning devotions, spend time in prayer daily. Still, I need to submit my time and efforts to the Lord, allowing Him to be my scheduler, my supervisor, my time manager.
Devotion
Lord God, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, Waymaker, I worship You. I place my confidence in You, “For I know the One in whom I have placed my confidence, and I am perfectly certain that the work He has committed to me is safe in his hands until that day.” By Your Holy Spirit, work in me the patience and wisdom to submit all of my days, all of my efforts, all of my words, all of my planning to You. May I be faithful to complete the work You have assigned to me. I want to marinate what we do in prayer so it will be saturated with the Holy Spirit and full of God-flavor in every bite. Help me have the patience and faith to take the time for soaking, waiting, allowing for gradual change, never becoming discouraged by what I see. May I absolutely trust He Who holds everything safe in His hands, insisting that You lead and I follow. In Jesus’ Name, make it so, Lord.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 