Prepared Works

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

 

 

I was just sitting at my desk today minding my own business when the phone rang. It was a call from a friend who volunteers at an after school program in the city. This program usually runs four days a week and sits directly across the street from the largest high school east of the Mississippi River.

They need help. This week the program isn’t open because they don’t have enough volunteers. They only need two people a day and they can’t find them. Part of the problem is that it is open from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. These are not convenient hours for most working people.

One day a week for two hours. I wouldn’t even have to do the devotionals unless I want to. How hard is that? I love working with teens but I am not sure this is the work that God has for me.

Interestingly, God has been working on me lately about how much I do – or don’t do – for those who are less fortunate than I. My life has been blessed in every way. I have the privilege of a schedule free from full time work because my husband believes in my ministry and my call to teach. We have never missed a meal or a bill payment because of this decision. I have been blessed so far with good health and a right mind (though finding the measuring spoons in my refrigerator has caused me to wonder about that lately), and I have two great, adult children (and a granddaughter) who live nearby and appear to be happy and productive citizens. I am grateful to God for all of it.

Shouldn’t I take any opportunity that God gives me to serve Him? Yes.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

The question I have is this: Is this the work God has prepared for me to do or is this work a man wants me to do? I will commit this to prayer and ask for God’s clear direction.

1Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor for the Lord is not in vain.” This verse says to me that if I take on this work I will need to stand firm in my commitment to do it. I cannot say that God calls me today and step out in a few weeks because I don’t like it or it makes my schedule tight. If I pray and believe it is God’s call then I must give myself fully to the Lord’s work. The work will not be in vain.

Ephesians 2:10 clearly tells us that there is a work for each one of us to do for the Lord. He chooses the work that is right for us and He will enable us to do it. This is the work that we are to fully give ourselves to.

I have some praying to do before I make this decision. How about you? What work is God calling you to do for Him? Perhaps you are in a season where most of the work He has for you is right inside your own home or perhaps you are in a waiting period where God is training you or filling you with teaching from His word for the work to come. Will you be ready when He calls you?

Working for the Lord is the most satisfying of all the work we do. However, overloading our schedules because we somehow think that every work we get asked to do is from God can cost us dearly in peace of mind, health issues, and family relationships. Taking a couple of days to ask God to confirm or deny His call seems like a worthwhile investment of time.

When you get the next call inviting you to join a ministry or take a new work in your church, will you ask God before you commit and then, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” Colossians 3:23.