Do you remember the day when you thought about what you wanted to be when you grew up? Maybe it was a doctor, a nurse, a musician, a lawyer, a pastor, a landlord, a teacher, or one of many other possibilities. We find ourselves drawn to certain occupations, jobs, hobbies, creativity (art, music, architecture, engineering, construction/building) that, for some reason, interest us and that we feel we would be best suited for. And that leads us to explore our interests further. What results from that exploration is a continuing “reveal” of who we are and what abilities and gifts we have been given to accomplish that task.
Where do you think that idea, desire or interest came from? Think about it … where does this originate from? The answer is GOD. And He makes every provision for each of us to be successful in our field of endeavor. The Bible states in Phil. 2:13 “It is God that works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure”. So then, we see here that IT IS GOD THAT WORKS in us … (1) HIS WILL and (2) TO DO – in other words, to Identify His will AND to do His will.
Throughout my life I’ve heard many Christians express their quandary about why they are here now and what they as individuals are to be doing. They are frustrated and confused about where and how “they fit” in this world. My answer is this: First, we as Christians are here to make Jesus, our Savior and Lord, known to the world – and the world is all those around us. Second, we are to do it by using the gifts and abilities God has given us for this task. And our understanding what our task and gifts are begins with knowing God has put the interest and desire in our heart that ultimately moves us to be what He has designed us to be. This is “God working in us to will ….” In other words, God’s will is working in our will to learn and grow in the understanding of why I’m here and who (and what) I am. But God doesn’t leave us at this point of personal discovery.
God’s commitment and investment in each of us goes further than just working in us to will …. It then says, “and TO DO ….” God’s plan for you and me is to actively partner with the Holy Spirit to become all that our potential allows and God desires, and to become more effective and fruitful than mere flesh could attain without this partnership. God invites us into an ongoing, daily partnership with Him to bring the Presence of Jesus to the need(s) as we encounter them. Whether you are in the secular or sacred field of endeavor, this partnership with Jesus coming in contact with the need is ministry – and every believer, whether in the secular field or sacred, has this capability.
to be continued …
Heartgate International Ministries 