In the book "The Face of My Enemy" the main character Jess sees an opportunity to disrupt the enemy's plans and he takes it. But it doesn't work out well for him. We often find ourselves doing the same thing. We see opportunities and they look like good works we can do. So we get busy. Soon we've lost sight of what's important. Micah 6:8 tells us what God wants from us. We are supposed to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. All of the other stuff is not important and could actually be damaging.
We are a works oriented society. Information comes at us from a hundred different directions and it seems to never slow down. The pressure is on to act on this information. We feel worthless if we aren't doing something. But we have it all backwards. We are of immeasurable worth to God just as we are. We are told in Genesis 5:24 that "Enoch walked with God and then he was no more, for God took him away." Enoch did not build any great monuments that we know of. We have no real evidence that he did anything at all except walk with God. But that was enough 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 reminds us that we are God's workmanship. We were born into Christ to do the works God prepared ahead of time for us to do. This is the lesson we need to internalize. God has arranged the works for us and we are to work only those works. God will ensure that you know what He has prepared for you. He won't abandon you. When everything is ready you'll know, assuming you've been studying the Word and waiting on Him. It may occur in a month or several years from now. Until it comes your time would be better spent just recalling the words from Micah 6:8. Remember that Paul did not do much for the first 14 years after his conversion. When the book of Acts picks up Paul's story, a lot of years have elapsed. Where was Paul during this period? He studied and waited for God.
A.W. Tozer, the author of some of the greatest Christian literature out there today, thought it would be beneficial if the Church just stopped all of its programs and sought God. He said it wasn't likely to happen, though. The reason he was negative about this was because the Church has become so works oriented that we have lost sight of the One we are 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 grown weary in your well doing then perhaps it might be time to move back and give yourself time to breathe. Humbly back away from the spotlight of your program or ministry and find a lonely spot. Allow yourself to be alone with God and get into a true relationship with Him. Nothing is better than this. And when God reveals the work he has prepared for you, you'll be poised to get it done in His strength and His power.
We are a works oriented society. Information comes at us from a hundred different directions and it seems to never slow down. The pressure is on to act on this information. We feel worthless if we aren't doing something. But we have it all backwards. We are of immeasurable worth to God just as we are. We are told in Genesis 5:24 that "Enoch walked with God and then he was no more, for God took him away." Enoch did not build any great monuments that we know of. We have no real evidence that he did anything at all except walk with God. But that was enough 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 reminds us that we are God's workmanship. We were born into Christ to do the works God prepared ahead of time for us to do. This is the lesson we need to internalize. God has arranged the works for us and we are to work only those works. God will ensure that you know what He has prepared for you. He won't abandon you. When everything is ready you'll know, assuming you've been studying the Word and waiting on Him. It may occur in a month or several years from now. Until it comes your time would be better spent just recalling the words from Micah 6:8. Remember that Paul did not do much for the first 14 years after his conversion. When the book of Acts picks up Paul's story, a lot of years have elapsed. Where was Paul during this period? He studied and waited for God.
A.W. Tozer, the author of some of the greatest Christian literature out there today, thought it would be beneficial if the Church just stopped all of its programs and sought God. He said it wasn't likely to happen, though. The reason he was negative about this was because the Church has become so works oriented that we have lost sight of the One we are 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 grown weary in your well doing then perhaps it might be time to move back and give yourself time to breathe. Humbly back away from the spotlight of your program or ministry and find a lonely spot. Allow yourself to be alone with God and get into a true relationship with Him. Nothing is better than this. And when God reveals the work he has prepared for you, you'll be poised to get it done in His strength and His power.
About the Author:
Norita Sieffert, a published author and speaker, also has a Master's Degree in Theology. She has committed herself fully to serving God in whatever capacity God sees fit. To read more uplifting fiction, visit her online bookstore.