Call to Work

“Have thy tools ready, God will provide thee work.”—Charles Kingsley

     Why do we Christians falter when told to work...is it that we do not want to work or is it that we don't want to seem different? Do we desire to be part of the society that we live within? The Apostles and disciples of the early church were excited about working to spread the Great News of Christ's resurrection yet we barely even mumble it in a crowd and that only after we are sure that the others in the crowd won't look down upon us as we 'Take our Stand' for Christ. Go back and read again Acts 5:32, "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (NIV) When read in context the Apostles are standing before the Chief Priests and are in trouble for speaking boldly to all the Jews about the Great News.
     God called us to work. He told us to spread the Great News of His New Covenant to all the peoples of the earth. Yet, I cannot seem to talk even to my own relatives and next door neighbors about Jesus because I do not want to be 'That Guy'...you know the one called 'A religious nutcase' or 'Zealot'. Once again we are silent about something that we should be shouting from the rooftops and speaking boldly about in our daily lives yet we have allowed our fear of rejection to dictate our level of commitment to the Word. When we do this we also start shutting out the voice of the Spirit of God. The Spirit was given to us for inspiration and to help us walk in the path of righteousness. It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that is a living guidance within each of us, that Father helps us walk in His path to do His good works. Go back and read again 2 Corinthians 3: 1-8 and following. In verses 7-8, "The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?", the writer talks about how Moses' face was shining with God's Glory. When was the last time that you looked in the mirror and saw a countenance that radiated from knowing, TRULY knowing, that Father loved you and you could not wait to share that knowledge with anyone and everyone? When was the last time that you looked in the mirror and saw even a glimpse of a smile from understanding that the Holy Spirit was there with you? That the Spirit was guiding you? How many of us can say that we actually know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well within us, actually KNOW that it is true? We give lip service to it, but like redemption do we REALLY believe it? Who does not fear that they will never be able to DO enough to get into heaven? I struggled with this one for years and although I had been taught from my youth that you cannot work your way into heaven, I still did not believe that I could do enough to blot out all my sins...that I would be able to live up to Father's standards so that I could be saved and not spend eternity in hell. See, that is the lie that satan spins to us...if we buy into having to work for our salvation, then he can always say,"why bother, you cannot do enough to get there. Stop the madness of trying to live right." He is the father of lies and deceit. We can never do enough to EARN salvation, otherwise we would not be saved by Grace. It is because of this that we should be like Moses and allowing the Holy Spirit to radiate out of us; shining forth for all the world to see so that we can speak of the wonderful news that Christ died to save us.
     I have to remind myself daily that I am not able to earn my salvation and not listen to satan's lies. Then I can understand that only by Grace are we saved and healed of our transgressions. This is when it starts to truly sink in just what Father did when He planned out the Crucifixion of His Son. That He loved all of us so much that He allowed Christ to carry that sin into death. Yet, Christ did not stay in the grave but rose again as our one hope for salvation. This is the truth of our Father's love for each of us. It is this knowledge that the Spirit uses to make us into shining beacons of hope and salvation to a world filled with pain and suffering.
     Yet we are also warned never to become prideful of our position in the kingdom. We are to work joyously, but not where others will bring us praise. In Matthew 6:1, "Be careful! When you do good things, don't do those things in front of people. Don't do those things for people to see you. If you do that, then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (ERV) We are a carnal people, and crave attention and confirmation from others. However, it is dangerous for us to desire this because to often we become proud of 'our accomplishments' and forget that the deeds we do are not for us but to bring glory to the Lord. It is for that reason we are to take care of the widows and the poor...He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.—Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) But if I receive praise for doing this, then soon I will do this only to receive the confirmation and praise. This becomes a source of pride and personal accomplishment. I will soon forget the truth of the reason behind these charities, that I am to be doing them as a living proof to the world that Father does love and care for all. It is by His grace that I am blessed to be able to help others and is NOT 'about me'. We often forget the reason for why we do these things...to show God's love to a lost world. Father wants us to be so happy and joyful in our daily walks that His Spirit shines forth for all to see and we receive confirmation for our actions by the awesome feelings that we get from the Holy Spirit when we are obedient to the call to help others.
     So here is the question, is there a beacon shining forth from you this day? If not, why not? Stop all the maddening noise and ask Father to renew the Holy Spirit in you so that you can hear Him as He confirms to you that you are saved and loved by the Father. Then don't just drown out the Spirit but follow where He leads. It will always be the Father's path and will include helping those who need it.