Over the past week or so, I've noticed a phrase (or variation of) in my reading come back again and again, "that they would be considered (or counted) worthy of the calling they have received." How can I read that without wondering, "what does that look like?"
The past couple of weeks have been a bit busy. Of course, sickness always makes life a little hectic because there's another something on the list of things to do: more sleep! As I read about the life of Paul, he seems like a pretty busy guy. He often worked so that the people could not accuse him of laziness or taking advantage. So he was serving the people while working to support himself. Everyone who works in a non-C job can probably understand this struggle. Go to work, get home, how can I serve my fellowship and how can I reach out. Even though we can be lights in our work, there's also a pulling to continue to serve. Now, I consider my job "service," but at the same time I feel a pull to serve the community, the Chinese people. How can I help them and spend time with them? But by the time I get back from a full day with middle schoolers and racking my brain to think of creative ways to teach, I don't have much left to give. Put a masters course on top of that, along with an attempt at a social life and the study of Chinese, and what do I have left to give?
But is that what we have to do to walk in a manner worthy of the calling? Run ourselves silly? I don't think so. In 2 Thessalonians 1:12, I see a very relieving phrase added on to our repeated call: "according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." I don't think that phrase needs much explanation. He knows us. He knows what we need.
Despite this, though, I often feel the urge to DO more. At the same time, I think of the call to lead peaceful lives. I guess the key to the directive to be counted worthy is to allow less to be more. Our less is used by Him to be more... and we always are less, no matter what we do, because He is more.
The past couple of weeks have been a bit busy. Of course, sickness always makes life a little hectic because there's another something on the list of things to do: more sleep! As I read about the life of Paul, he seems like a pretty busy guy. He often worked so that the people could not accuse him of laziness or taking advantage. So he was serving the people while working to support himself. Everyone who works in a non-C job can probably understand this struggle. Go to work, get home, how can I serve my fellowship and how can I reach out. Even though we can be lights in our work, there's also a pulling to continue to serve. Now, I consider my job "service," but at the same time I feel a pull to serve the community, the Chinese people. How can I help them and spend time with them? But by the time I get back from a full day with middle schoolers and racking my brain to think of creative ways to teach, I don't have much left to give. Put a masters course on top of that, along with an attempt at a social life and the study of Chinese, and what do I have left to give?
But is that what we have to do to walk in a manner worthy of the calling? Run ourselves silly? I don't think so. In 2 Thessalonians 1:12, I see a very relieving phrase added on to our repeated call: "according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." I don't think that phrase needs much explanation. He knows us. He knows what we need.
Despite this, though, I often feel the urge to DO more. At the same time, I think of the call to lead peaceful lives. I guess the key to the directive to be counted worthy is to allow less to be more. Our less is used by Him to be more... and we always are less, no matter what we do, because He is more.
No comments:
Post a Comment