In the book "The Face of My Enemy" Jess spies a possibility to interrupt the enemy's plans and he does it. But it doesn't go well for him. We frequently find ourselves going through the same thing. We detect opportunities and they seem like good works we can achieve. So we get involved. Soon we've gotten away from what's important. Micah 6:8 reminds us of what God wants from us. We are supposed to act justly, love mercy and walk in humility with God. Nothing else is important and could actually be harmful.
Our society is oriented toward doing works. Information assaults us from many different directions and it never ceases. The pressure is on to do something about this information. We feel insignificant if we aren't acting on it. But we are all turned around. We are of enormous worth to God exactly as we are. Genesis 4:24 explains that "Enoch walked with God and then he was no more, for God took him away." Enoch did not build any cities or cultures that we can find. It appears he did nothing at all except walk with God. But that was plenty for God.
Yoda said in Star Wars that Luke Skywalker needed to unlearn what he had learned. This is great advice. Somewhere the Church has gotten the idea that it must be occupied with programs. They start Sunday school, evangelism and Bible study programs. They have bake sales and garage sales. Churches run men's, women's, children's and mission's ministries. Cowboy churches lead cowboy ministries and biker churches run biker ministries. There is no problem with all these ministries, unless God didn't ordain them. If someone initiated a ministry because they needed to do something for God, then it was started with the wrong motivation. We perceive that that we can do good works and then take them to heaven's gates and give them to God. "Look what I did for You!" The real truth is that the only works that will pass through those gates are the works God clearly ordained. All else will be "burned up." The person will just barely make it into heaven and their non-ordained works won't be accepted (see 1 Cor. 3:15).
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's workmanship. We were made to do the works God prepared beforehand for us to do. This is the piece we need to comprehend. God has gotten the works ready for us to do and we are to do those works. God will make sure you know what He wants for you. He won't leave you high and dry. When the time is right you'll know, assuming you've been reading the Word and waiting in preparation. It might happen in a month or it might be in ten years. Until then your time is better spent just remembering the passage from Micah 6:8. Realize that Paul did almost nothing for the first 14 years after he was converted. When the book of Acts begins to follow him, several years have passed. Where was Paul all this time? He prepared and waited on God.
A.W. Tozer, the man who composed some of our great Christian literature, thought it would be worthwhile if the Church just halted all of its ministries and listened for God. He said it would probably never happen, though. The reason he was gloomy in his outlook is that the Church has become so stuck on doing works that we have lost track of the One we should be working for.
I am sure that there are just two qualifications for a productive ministry in this day and age. The ministry expands God's kingdom and it exalts God and God alone. A lot of ministries don't do these two things. Somewhere along the way we disregarded the truth that we are saved by grace. We have bit by bit launched into works to try and earn approval with God. But our works are rubbish to God if we are not obedient to His directives. God is interested in relationships. First He wants us to be in relationship with Him. Then He is concerned about our relationships with others. Jesus gave in John 13:34 a new command to love one another just like He has loved us. He said nothing about works here except to love. Our good works will proceed from a heart that is filled to overflowing with the love of God.
If you have become weary in your well doing then possibly the time has come to step away and breathe a little. Humbly step out of the spotlight of your work and find a quiet place. Let yourself be alone with God and develop a real relationship with Him. Nothing is more important than this. When at some point God gives you the work He wants you to do, you'll be ready to do it in His strength and His power.
Our society is oriented toward doing works. Information assaults us from many different directions and it never ceases. The pressure is on to do something about this information. We feel insignificant if we aren't acting on it. But we are all turned around. We are of enormous worth to God exactly as we are. Genesis 4:24 explains that "Enoch walked with God and then he was no more, for God took him away." Enoch did not build any cities or cultures that we can find. It appears he did nothing at all except walk with God. But that was plenty for God.
Yoda said in Star Wars that Luke Skywalker needed to unlearn what he had learned. This is great advice. Somewhere the Church has gotten the idea that it must be occupied with programs. They start Sunday school, evangelism and Bible study programs. They have bake sales and garage sales. Churches run men's, women's, children's and mission's ministries. Cowboy churches lead cowboy ministries and biker churches run biker ministries. There is no problem with all these ministries, unless God didn't ordain them. If someone initiated a ministry because they needed to do something for God, then it was started with the wrong motivation. We perceive that that we can do good works and then take them to heaven's gates and give them to God. "Look what I did for You!" The real truth is that the only works that will pass through those gates are the works God clearly ordained. All else will be "burned up." The person will just barely make it into heaven and their non-ordained works won't be accepted (see 1 Cor. 3:15).
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's workmanship. We were made to do the works God prepared beforehand for us to do. This is the piece we need to comprehend. God has gotten the works ready for us to do and we are to do those works. God will make sure you know what He wants for you. He won't leave you high and dry. When the time is right you'll know, assuming you've been reading the Word and waiting in preparation. It might happen in a month or it might be in ten years. Until then your time is better spent just remembering the passage from Micah 6:8. Realize that Paul did almost nothing for the first 14 years after he was converted. When the book of Acts begins to follow him, several years have passed. Where was Paul all this time? He prepared and waited on God.
A.W. Tozer, the man who composed some of our great Christian literature, thought it would be worthwhile if the Church just halted all of its ministries and listened for God. He said it would probably never happen, though. The reason he was gloomy in his outlook is that the Church has become so stuck on doing works that we have lost track of the One we should be working for.
I am sure that there are just two qualifications for a productive ministry in this day and age. The ministry expands God's kingdom and it exalts God and God alone. A lot of ministries don't do these two things. Somewhere along the way we disregarded the truth that we are saved by grace. We have bit by bit launched into works to try and earn approval with God. But our works are rubbish to God if we are not obedient to His directives. God is interested in relationships. First He wants us to be in relationship with Him. Then He is concerned about our relationships with others. Jesus gave in John 13:34 a new command to love one another just like He has loved us. He said nothing about works here except to love. Our good works will proceed from a heart that is filled to overflowing with the love of God.
If you have become weary in your well doing then possibly the time has come to step away and breathe a little. Humbly step out of the spotlight of your work and find a quiet place. Let yourself be alone with God and develop a real relationship with Him. Nothing is more important than this. When at some point God gives you the work He wants you to do, you'll be ready to do it in His strength and His power.
About the Author:
Norita Sieffert has a Master's Degree in Theology and is a published author and speaker. Her life is completely committed to loving and serving God. To read more uplifting fiction, visit her online bookstore.
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