“Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” Isaiah 49:1-3
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
God the Creator has fashioned each of His children uniquely and for specific work. From first call, He sets out to work in us what pleases Him and leads to the end of His intent for us. As His beloved offspring, we have the privilege through life here on earth of joining Him in this work and fulfilling His call for His glorious purposes in the days He’s appointed. (Acts 17:26; 1 Corinthians 12:11)
The design is His, His also the power. But there is a necessary surrender, a cooperation, where we offer ourselves and by working and putting into practice we test and approve His will for us in our circle of the world. For some, this is the home, workplace, church, community, or city. For others, a wider swath in a country or broad public venue. The important thing is that we listen and know our place and work where God has called us. (Zechariah 4:10; John 21:21-22)
How zealous are we, in the trappings of busyness, to be all about God’s call? When do we take time to listen, and attention to make necessary changes and heed? Might He have us doing something more, or different, from what we have always done? How thoughtfully do we number our days, and measure and meet our opportunities? How eagerly to we take on new assignments? (Psalm 90:12)
“May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.
May the word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through his pow’r.
May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea.
Him exalting, self abasing:
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.” ~Kate B. Wilkinson (1925)
Lord, keep me marveling at Your works, and exhibiting Your character as I go about mine. May all I do be from You and unto You, and for Your honor and ends. (Psalm 111:1-10; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16; 3:23)
As the rain and snow 