1 Corinthians 7:17 (NKJV) But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
Acts 22:15 (NKJV) For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
I have not Pastored since August 2004. What I have been doing is varied, especially in regards to the ministry call upon my life. However, my life has been mostly filled these later years with simply making a living, although there have been those occasional ministry opportunities, for which I am very grateful. First it was working in a factory and then after being laid off, moving to Ohio and working once again in the construction industry as a carpenter.
I confess to you that these years have also been filled with a wondering of why the Lord has placed us upon the shelf, as it were, and will not let us move in the ministry graces that He has so graciously granted us for over three decades of life. While this remains a question, I accept that this is our call in life for this season, however long (6 plus years and counting) or longer this is to be. I have gained so much during this time and pray that I will continue to gain even more, as we faithfully walk out this path at this time.
One of the things that I have become ever so aware of is that the calling of God extends unto where He has placed us for whatever time and purpose He has placed us there. I mean, if I am working in a factory, then that is my calling and I need to approach this work as His chosen ministry for me for as long as He has me walking that job out. I need to seek Him obediently, dependently, righteously, in absolute surrender unto Him daily, going to and working out my job in a manner that brings Him glory, honor and praise. I need to confess daily to Him that cannot do this job apart from Him and that I need His enabling power to work in and through me at every step of the way. In other words, the only difference between this calling and the ministry calling that I have walked out most of my adult life, is the actual work itself, nothing else.
You see, I still need to be a man who is leaning upon Him, and growing in prayer, the Word, obedience, surrender, witness, righteousness, holiness, truth, godly character, the Spirit, thanksgiving, looking to Him, leaning upon Him and acknowledging my need of Him every moment of everyday, in every step of the way. This is so that in all that I do, say and am, at home, at work and at play, I might be His genuine witness in the earth, 24-7-52. I want my work to reflect Him. I want my attitude to reflect Him. I want my driving to reflect Him. I want all that I am, at any given moment, to reflect my Lord and Savior, earnestly, genuinely, in Spirit and in Truth.
I acknowledge that apart from He who is my life, breath and ability, I cannot do my job well or even rightly. Therefore, I need Him to empower me, enable me, to help me do what I am being called to do at work, well. And He is, has and I genuinely believe always will. May I continue to look to Him, lean upon Him, seek Him in all that I am, do and say, that In all things and at all times, I may bring Him glory, honor and praise.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NKJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
We will all be held accountable for how we have lived out our lives in this earth in light of what He our Lord and Savior has given us. May we then, in all things and at all times seek to be those who live out our lives in a manner that brings our Lord and Savior greater glory, honor and praise. We are ALL called, regardless of our jobs, positions or whether or not we like our jobs, positions, or circumstances, to be His witnesses in all that we say, do and are, at home, at work and at play.
Our Lord and Savior is there, where ever we find ourselves, to enable, empower, lead and strengthen us to do our jobs well, whatever they are, how much or little we like them, that we might in Spirit and Truth, be His genuine and positive witnesses in the earth.
