I have in the last few weeks had a number of people say to me they are in a strange place where they don’t know what to do or that they are feeling lethargic. I have shared a bit on this area before, but I feel the Lord wants me to reemphasize what we are to be about and that He has an expectation of us.
We can look at this year and have every reason just to sit back and let this time see itself out. However, I feel the Lord has started moving in a major way and we are entering an amazing season and He would have us be about our plan that He has given us to do. Each of us has a role.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We all know this verse but as it was relevant for Paul in his time it is so relevant for us in this season. Paul’s circumstances weren’t great but he understood that He was to push on and get things done. He was to look beyond the circumstances and look at the bigger goal. Do on earth as it is in heaven.
He was to forget the things of the past in moving forward. We are asked to do the same with this year and circumstances. We are to forget what is behind and push ahead. Let us be the light people look at during this time.
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
No matter what our need at the moment there is a place we can be in and that is contentment. Pauls contentment came from his relationship with the Lord. His foundation was deeper than himself or the world. With all that is happening around you we need to be in this place as it from here that the Lord can use you and He really wants to use all of us in this next season.
1 Thessalonians 4:10-21
and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
We are to walk in a position that is a testimony to those around us in this time. We are to be the light for them and have the answer of Jesus to give them during this time. We are to do with our own hands what we can do but knowing that we are in the Lord and He will do the work. We however are put in this position (contentment and peace) to be doing things and there is an expectation that we are doing things.
Maybe your work at this time could be helping someone who is struggling.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Let’s treat the unusual times as a trial where we can move to contentment and patience but where we are doing the work of the Lord from this position. Others should be looking at us and saying why are these guys in such peace and contentment. Can they see that you at the moment?
From this position we are expected to move
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 2:22
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James is very clear in this book about what the position of faith is. We are to have faith with action and works. To sit back and say I am all ok because I have the Lord and I know that I will be going home to the Lord no matter what IS NOT an acceptable position to take. We all have calling’s and we all have a role to play and in unusual circumstances we are expected to step into that. This is the parable of the talents to use what we have been given. We will be judged on what we have done with what we are given not on whether we have accepted Jesus as our saviour. Acceptance and salvation are a given the minute we accept Jesus, it is now about what are you doing with it. Will you be a good and faithful (with works) servant.
One of my favourite verses in my walk is the following:
2 Corinthians 8:10-12
And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
So many times I have looked at what the Lord has given me to do and wondered how would I ever get to the position of completion. Initially I waited for Him to give me what was needed but then I understood that there was no faith in that because I could see what He had given me. The Lords expectation was that I start doing works with what I had and then He could bless that. It is the story of how you eat an elephant – one bite at a time.
My faith is shown by moving forward in His kingdom work with what I have. Practically and with common sense but also always ready for some God space in the walk.
In this season right now He is expecting His children to be like this. Let’s push on, Lets work with what we have and Lets be an absolute shining light in the world.
“There is a mighty wind coming down and it will pour through all on the earth and my children will rise like never before. Are you ready? Have you prepared? Have you done what you can do? If not then get about the work as it is not too late to do what you can do.”
Brick on Brick Teaching 