In recent days, God’s given me a wake up call. He’s challenged me to embrace the tasks that I do. I was led to chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (the saved by grace through faith chapter), and in verse 10 it reads
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
When I first think of these good works that God prepared in advance for me to do, my mind pictures a never-ending supply of old ladies to help across the street. Or maybe a bunch of kittens to pull out of trees. Nothing wrong with helping old ladies and kittens, but I realized I do not often view my day-to-day life as being filled with good works that were prepared in advance for me to do. Stopping what I’m doing to have a conversation with my wife. Putting my children to bed with Bible stories and prayer. Calling a friend to encourage them. Sending a note to someone who doesn’t expect it. We can agree these are good things to do, but are they more than that? What about vacuuming, changing a diaper, fixing a meal, taking care of a child for someone? How about making a practice schedule or driving a bus? Who says any of these can’t be the exact good works which were prepared by the Creator of the universe for us to do? I don’t know about you, but for me, that shift in point of view makes a big difference. It makes all the difference.
What if the phone rang, I answered and God was on the line? What if he said to me, “Ryan, I want you to know that I love those blog posts you write. The way you mix your personal experiences with the truth of my Word. Those things really point people toward me. You’re doing a great job. Once in a while they’re a little self-indulgent, but on the whole, you do fantastic work. And the song lyrics and videos from the ’80s? Man, that’s a hoot.” To say the least, that conversation would definitely inspire me. Instead of thinking, “Ugh, it’s blog post Friday. How am I going to find time to write?”, I’d be counting the minutes until I could write some more.
Bottom line: places to go, people to see, things to do…we’re busy people. Can we make every effort to see every one of these people, places and things as potential divine appointments, designed by God, to do the good that He prepared in advance for us to do? I pray we can.