On the wall behind my computer is a framed statement I read every day.
It simply states, “Lord, you have an assignment for me today. Give me eyes to see and faith to believe that you can use me. May I not let fear or other supposed hindrances defeat your plan for me.”
I don’t remember where I got it. It is not a phrase taken from the Scriptures, yet it closely resembles Biblical truths. John 15:5 says “If a man remains (abides) in me and I in him. He will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Most of us feel good after having done something for someone. There is a sense of satisfaction about having set aside our agenda and releasing our energy to help our fellowman. But it is not a matter of our going about the day looking for something to do for someone so we can feel good.
If we are staying connected to God through worship and the spiritual disciplines it will be the natural outflow of the indwelling Holy Spirit that produces the reaction of fruit bearing. That is staying connected or abiding.
Reading so many Scriptures each day is good. But, if you are doing so hoping good works automatically will follow so God will be pleased, your motives need an adjustment. Some follow reading plans to fulfill a goal or complete a plan.
That is not all bad but the objective should be to hear from God and enter into relationship with Him which will result in Christ being put on display in your life. That may come from reading a few verses again and again, meditating on them, praying them back to God, and letting the truths radiate through your daily walk.
You don’t have to forcefully be looking for good works to please God. We come to God through the Scriptures to seek his face, worshiping him in submission to his Lordship, and valuing his worth above all else. The good works will follow as we abide in Him.
Someone has said, “If worship does not lead to mission, then you haven’t really worshiped.” Recently, our church had a prayer plan whereby groups were to assemble after church, at various schools, including the university, to pray for those institutions.
Since my vocational life had revolved around college students, I went to the SWOSU campus. No college students were present. Yet, they had just come from an hour of worship. Apparently, worship had not translated into mission. Maybe I’m being too hard on them; maybe the hours at the cafeteria made it necessary to eat first.
I just have the feeling that for many of us, our understanding of worship means attending church, singing a few songs and listening to a sermon. We go away feeling that we have done God a favor by giving Him a couple of hours.
We sing songs of praise, but seldom is heard those songs which challenge us to go out into the highways and byways to bring hurting people to the banquet table of God’s redeeming love.
To comment, email jhm82@outlook or call (580) 772-2311.