A Faithful Sower

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

The older I become I have learned that I don’t have to think too hard about what I will be doing that day. Many days my plan for the day involves work away from home. On my days off from work, I am intricately involved in providing care for my family at many generational levels. Throughout the month, there are also chaplain and faith-based ministry endeavors, some of which my wife and I are involved in seeking to take care of God’s lambs and sheep. Even though I have a plan for the day, and I think I know what I need to do, there are always surprises that require redirection from the planned agenda and onward to resolve the critical need. There are times when I realize that most of what I’m involved with is aimed at improving the well-being of others.

As I consider the focal points in life that grab my attention and dominate my time, I consider how my activities are tied into the work that God has in mind for me. As I consider Ephesians 2:10, insight is provided: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).  Upon reviewing this verse, I know that God created me in Christ Jesus to do the work that He has prepared for me to do. Knowing this, I also consider another Bible verse: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10/NIV). This Bible verse underscores the importance of me using the gifts that God has provided me to help others and not become self-centered.

Is there a limit to what I can do? The Bible does tell us that as long as I am obedient to the teachings found in the Bible and seek to follow God’s plan and will for me, I will be successful with my endeavors. As I know, the work before me may become challenging and daunting, as long as I am obedient with Biblical teachings, “I can do all this through Him (Jesus Christ) who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13/NIV). This Bible verse and many others offer me much hope and provide me with the courage to face the challenges set before me, much of which God has prepared in advance for me to do. When I think about the missions that God gave Moses, Joshua, Joseph, and many other people we read about in the Bible, they were successful as they were obedient to following God’s plan and calling.

We, too, can be successful with God’s work before us, which may present in the form of “challenges and difficulties.” Faith and confidence in our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, from whom we draw strength, will enable us to be successful and achieve a significant victory! “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58/NIV).

Many blessings to you!

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^{Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.}

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