Each week I am a happy witness to scores of people engaged in Kingdom work. Much of life connects with others who have been given a passion for advancing the mission of Jesus Christ and most of them do not teach, preach or sing (these are often misunderstood as the Big 3 of ministry). I’m blessed to see people drive vans to pick up children and the infirm and bring them to church. Some change diapers in our nursery while the parents of those little children are in a different part of the building worshiping their Lord. Using Skype this week I spend some time talking and praying with Missionary Nathan Young who literally left everything behind in America and went with his wife and children to a country where they knew less than fifty people. Walking out from a men’s prayer meeting recently I saw a half dozen other men who had devoting time and sweat to taking care of landscaping needs at the church in their free time. When we slow down and take note of what is going on around us we will likely notice Kingdom investments taking place in both the big and the small. Serving God is the ultimate usage of one’s life.
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Work…labor…steadfastness. This honest communication from our bible reminds us that faith is not to be viewed as a group of detached, philosophical humans hanging out on a hillside in togas eating sweet-dates while one of them plays the flute. Faith is more akin to dirty work gloves than spiritual light bulbs hanging over our heads as our bright ideas about God pop in. True faith recognizes who God is and then finds motivation to do something with that recognition. Trusting Jesus Christ and awaiting His return inevitably results in kinetic energy whereby Kingdom endeavors are embraced and you become a person of action. Paul used the word labor in the above verses. We work. We work very hard. We work because we are convinced that our efforts are worthy responses to the call placed upon us by God. We labor in order to allow opportunities for others to know so great a Savior. We know we cannot do it all but we also know that all cannot be completed without the participation of God’s people. He designed it to include something for each of us to do. Then Paul mentions that anchoring word steadfastness. This is for the diligent, the determined, the weary, the stretched and the fatigued. Ministry is not easy nor should we expect it to be. Ministry in the name of Jesus is glorious and good and rewarding – but not easy if it is done for the right motives. We are empowered by Another to remain steadfast against the fears within and the fightings without. More than stoicism and resolve, we find that God’s comforting voice will remind us that we have what we need for this day and that He will supply what is needed for the future when the future comes around. He’s gracious in causing us to stand when we might prefer to curl up and cry. Work…labor…steadfastness.
Don’t forget the fuel behind that 3-word fire: faith…love…hope. This is how we are sustained and rejoiced. Ministry and Kingdom investment has a high-octane petrol that keeps our hearts, minds and wills pumping. We have been granted faith and, the more we exercise it, the stronger it grows. God has poured out an other-dimensional love upon us that continually blows our minds the more we realize its dimensions. John asked, “Behold what manner of love is this that we should be called the children of God!”{1 John 3:1} And then there is hope: our certainty that there is a great cause, an enduring promise, a perfect victory awaiting us, a celestial celebration, an unspeakable prize, a holy climax, an open door to the glorious what’s-coming-next, an everlasting relief, a destruction of our enemy, a universal recognition of our King and a restoration of all things to the pre-Fall realm of existence. Most of all, we have confidence that we will finally see Him, whom not having yet seen, we love with all our being.
So I will worship. I will work. I will wait. And I will win.
The flute and sweet date image cracks me up!
I been frighteningly close to that life and I find the “dirty work” not only more fulfilling to me, but more effective in bringing hope.
A friend who had blown up her life and was suicidal on Monday was told by her inpatient therapist, on Wednesday, that the answer to her problem is to set “positive goals.” My friend was the equivalent of “chained to tombstones” when she was admitted to this facility for her safety. She will be discharged with instructions for goal setting. I think they skipped some alphabet letters.
I’ve known terrifying dark places. The “flutes” were pleasant, but when they left I was once again terrified. I thank God for those who rolled up their sleeves and got dirty til the absurd notion of positive thoughts could even be entertained.
More, I thank God for my blood family who fill in my missing alphabet letters as a working effort for daily relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
What an encouragement……I wish I could do more, however my Lord and Savior also prevents me from OVER-doing it
as well…(especially when my heart says lets do it)