DOING AND BEING
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” Romans15:30, ESV
Theme: Stretch yourself to work and pray together with God’s family whenever you are asked.
DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN
There is a quote I really love: “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can” (John Wesley). I’m a type-A person, so tasks and “doing” come easily to me. This current trend of “just be” is hard, so I know the struggle between doing and being, serving and just sitting still in God’s presence. I must learn to do both. You need to, also.
The Great Commandment tells us to give God all we have, including our strength (our might). Yet, that verse also reminds us to keep the focus on loving God, our spiritual life, and our prayer life, not our “to-do” lists.
In today’s Scripture, we see it’s okay to strive and work hard – in this instance, striving in our prayers. In another Scripture, Paul asked that his readers continue to pray for “the open door” so that he can share the Gospel. We need to focus on those kinds of prayers as we strive on behalf of others.
SHIFT THE FOCUS
You may be a lawn care buff, making sure every blade of grass is cut evenly and every sidewalk edged. Maybe you are a foodie – or a health enthusiast. We all have a hobby or passion of choice. Most of mine, I admit, are self-centered. They may not be immoral or wrong, but they are inwardly-focused. What Paul is asking us to do is to pour ourselves out – to strive – for someone else. Maybe it’s to wrestle in our prayers for others who are on a mission trip. It might be to give of our time and resources to help others. Our striving could be to speak up against injustice and do good. It’s to do whatever God puts before you.
CHECK YOURSELF
There is always a danger in doing and striving, because the grace of God is free. We are given salvation as a gift, not a wage. The motivation for our striving must be love and obedience due to gratitude, not striving and obedience to earn salvation. If you ask God to help you set healthy boundaries, He will guide you into the work He has for you. You are not to do it all; you are not to harm your family or your physical/mental health. You are to include others – as teammates, prayer partners, mentors, or trainees. God does not want you to do everything for Him. He wants you to do everything He asks you to do. And there is a big difference between those two sentences.
Make It Personal: Would you say you are working too hard, even if it is for God? Would you say you are kind of lazy, especially when it comes to spiritual matters? Start with a personal quiet time with God every day. That takes effort. That requires discipline. And during that time with God, He can direct you and your day and plans: what to do, what not to do, when to rest, when to storm the gates of hell.
Pray: Lord God, whether we are hard workers or hardly working, You are our only Master. We answer to You. If You need to spur us to get up and to good works, please do so. If You want us to sit at Your feet and just be with You, impress that upon us also. We want to work hard for the things that matter to You. We also want to be still and know You, Father God. Give us Your Spirit to lead us in whichever direction you need to take us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Luke 10:27; Colossians 3:23-24, 4:3; Nehemiah 4:16-18; Psalm 46:10-11, 42:1
Weekly Memory Verse: “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31, ESV