July 2017

So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

John 5:16-17, 19-20

We who follow Christ are called to do God’s work as Jesus himself had been when he walked the earth. When Jesus was resurrected he left us with the Great Commission to spread the gospel. This is God’s mission and as his disciples we are called to join him in it.

A book by Henry Blackaby had a great influence on my life, especially as I struggled to find the courage to do the ground-breaking work of founding Living Room, the Christian support ministry for people with mental health issues. Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God has a simple—but challenging—message: Find out where God is at work and join Him there.

When we need the courage to do work that we know is far bigger than ourselves, we would do well to realize that it’s God’s work we’re doing—not our own. If we can see that it’s not our work but God’s, ever so much more becomes possible. Far too often we ask God to help us with our work when it would be far better to join God in his work—work he may already have started.

We are called to partner with God in what he is doing. He has given us the tools to help him: our hands, our voice, our feet, our heart. God puts a pen in our hands, guides it along the page and gives us the words that will share his message with hungry readers. He gives us voices with which to sing his praises, bringing joy into the world. He puts love in our hearts to share with those who need to know him.

When you want to make a difference in the world or in your community, look to God and see what he’s doing. Then join him in it and trust him. With the Master in charge everything is possible.

What is God doing today?

The group I had planned to start at my New Life Church had to be cancelled. Things did not work out. But a group does not make a ministry, and it’s the ministry that’s important. We can only assume that this was not God’s plan for us. I’m tired. I need time to recover and rest.

And yet, I know he is working, even now. It is God’s work—not our own. If we trust him, ever so much becomes possible. Plans are developing. We just need some time. Please pray for Living Room and the spiritual care it offers to those who hunger for God.

God is good. Always good, and always with us.

marja