“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” [Ephesians 2:10]
God has prepared us for something –and He has already prepared things for us to do in advance. Please pray that we could see clearly what He is trying to do. Pray that the enemy gains no foothold among us but rather we would work together in unity in the Spirit of grace and maturity. Maturity is so important. Since we have committed to maturity, then we have abandoned childishness. This becomes all the more relevant as we consider less “who” we are and consider more “whose” we are. A tree that continues to mature expands its ability to bear more and more fruit.
All of us who desire maturity in Christ desire effectiveness. Let’s press forward, striving for the various hidden treasures that God has strategically and intentionally stationed in the path before us. Be on the lookout for service opportunities. Make the presence of Jesus known. Use the power of the resurrection, that now lives within you, to do great things for Christ. And don’t forget that prayer is an integral part of service -you could call it the heartbeat of serving Jesus. By inviting Jesus to serve through you, you are inviting deep and lasting impact. We become Jesus’ “service brigade” when we look to Him for our marching orders.
So, don’t forget to dress down and get ready to get your hands dirty. Dress warm during the winter months. Service is hard work –it leaves your hands dirty but purifies your heart when Jesus is present.
Our focus must be external. We are becoming an externally-focused church for Jesus. On Sunday nights at IMPACT we are studying the “The Externally Focused Life” in adult small groups and in all of our kids’ curriculum. This is indeed an exciting journey that we have undertaken. But let’s not forget to ALWAYS invite Jesus to lead the way. He is the one who has prepared the journey for us and us for the journey. He is the One who will bless our obedience. He is the One who is worthy of all the love we can possibly give Him. We are doing this all for Him, as though we are physically and directly serving Him. Don’t forget this. Being externally focused is all about Jesus. And as for us, if we love Him and seek maturity, then this is who we will be:
“when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty," [Luke 17:10]
Love in Jesus,
George