Scripture
"As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain." (2 Corinthians 6:1)
Observation
My kids dread the words, “Put on some junk clothes and grab a rag” because they know it’s time to do some cleaning. God gave me 3 kids, so I figure I might as well put them to work, right! Well, the reality is that they aren’t very good cleaners yet. They’re not very strong, they’re not very meticulous, and they’re not very thorough...really they don’t help much and cause more stress than support. BUT, as a father who tries his best, I’m aware that they need to learn, they need to be challenged, and they need to be shown what hard work looks like. Just because it doesn’t come easily or naturally doesn’t mean they don’t have to do it.
This came to mind as Paul reminded me in 2 Corinthians 6 that we are “God’s co-workers” who have been given His grace for a purpose. His grace was not given so that we can live out a sin and repent cycle, it was not given so we can indulge in our fleshly desires, but it was given so that I might use the forgiveness and freedom He grants me to be His co-worker. Just like with my children, God calls me into His service and prepares tasks for me to accomplish according to His purposes. As you can imagine, I’m usually not strong enough, meticulous enough or thorough enough to fulfill what He asks, but the Good News is that He is a patient and loving Father and, beyond that, He is actually equipping and empowering me to do it. Although I might not be contributing much, all God desires is a willing and obedient heart.
Application
This Truth, that God calls me His co-worker, reveals that He desires for me to daily be about His work. Practically: Who have I encouraged today? Who have I prayed for today? Who did I help today? What did I do, outside of my normal routine, that He asked of me? If I’m not intentionally seeking living out this calling of a co-worker chances are I’m missing out on many opportunities He’s laid out...and some of these assignments might not be so glamorous. It can be easy to do His work in the church building when the lights are on and the crowds are watching, but what about in my home, in the relationships around me, and in my free time. Being God’s co-worker is a Full Time Position, thus I must:
- Rejoice because I am forgiven and have been shown undeserved grace.
- Respond to that grace by being about God’s work ALL the time,
- Realize that I am called to do His work and it’s not that He is called to do my work.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for Your grace that You freely give. Help me to respond to Your grace by being Your co-worker and being about Your business. Help me to obey when the task is glamorous and especially when it’s not. Empower me to be Your co-worker in caring for Danice and the kids, in loving whomever You put in front of me, and by using my time to honor You. Help me to not live by a clock-in and clock-out mentality but to be fully committed and submitted to You. In Your name, Amen.
