What Is My Job?
A Reminder That God's Call Is Specific and Purposeful
Do you sometimes feel like you are overwhelmed because you see so much work that needs to be done and know there is no way you can do it all?
Newsflash: we cannot do it all, and God does not want us to.
This morning while I was reading in John 12, God reminded me that I am not supposed to carry out every detail of His plan. (I do have a bit of a control issue, but God and I are working on it.)
In John 12:46, Jesus reminds the crowd listening to him what God sent him into the world to do: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
He then continues and tells the crowd something I have not paid close attention to before. He tells them what he was not sent to do.
“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words: the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (12:47-50)
If God did not expect the Son of Man to execute every detail of His plan, then why do I think He expects me to do so? Yes, I am being a tad hyperbolic, but I do need to keep a heavenly perspective. Christ came for a particular purpose and had a specific job/command from God. As a believer, God calls me to a specific job as well.
God wants me to glorify him and grow His kingdom. He commands me, as a believer, to share the Gospel and to disciple—or educate—other believers so that they can grow in spiritual maturity and fulfill their individual purpose for God.
He does not call me to get bogged down in the details that take me away from my purpose, my calling. He also does not expect me to take care of jobs he has for others to do to participate in Kingdom work.
Dear Father, help me focus on the main thing today. Thank you for showing me the work you need me to do. Thank you for giving me the physical and mental stamina I need to do my job. Thank you for growing me spiritually so that I know what your purpose is and when I need to stop and let You do the rest of the work. Amen.