Listening to the Holy Spirit:
He that gives wholly, it is he that brings joy. As the mother devotes to the child, so too the true servant of the Lord. Withholding nothing, forward he serves, that his strength be spent full in service to his King. Wearily may he trod, but not without reward. For those that suffer for the Kingdom also inherit much, for they serve a generous King, and for generosity, unforgotten, great favor. As there is no limit on the elements of creation, except that He sets of His own good will, so too the reward of the saints. They that have been washed clean, and do not hesitate in My labor, to these are the riches of Heaven, even apportioned in part beforehand, amidst the toil. Grow not weary in doing good, for the good done in you, and to come, shall not disappoint. Rest will be given to the weary, and those of low places, bearing heavy My Name, will be lifted, and great shall be their recompence.
1Pet 4:13 (ESV) – But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV) – Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
John 6:27 (ESV) – Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.
John 15:11 (ESV) – These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Taking It to Work:
The Lord is pleased with when we give whole-heartedly to Him. Whether it be through generosity of our time, money, or talent, producing fruit with Him, and those things He has blessed us with, brings Him joy. In John 15, after explaining how important it is to be integrally connected to Him, and to bear fruit through Him, He concludes by letting us know the joy that that service brings to His heart.
I find it a very powerful, and actually a perplexing thing, knowing that I am able to bring joy to our eternal, mighty, limitless God, by joining Him in His work, and that he wants to reward me with that same joy. Further in scripture He even promises eternal rewards for the good that we do with Him here on earth.
Here’s where I believe many lose out though…Often, because our schedules are already tight, we think we can’t take on one more thing, even if it is serving the Lord. Let me tell you two things that have changed that perspective for me. 1) I have found over the years, that saying “yes” to Him, even at times where I did not have the time to say “yes”, have been times of huge growth and direction in my life. Now that I look back upon them, even though I ran tired and worn out at times, I would never have traded them just to have a little more margin and rest. 2) I have found that doing what we talk about every day here in this devotional, making my workplace part of my ministry (by the way, I’m an engineer and businessman, not a preacher – so I do try to practice these things in the secular workplace, just like you ). Yes, it takes a bit more intentionality and focus as you head into work (like you don’t already have enough to do), but the fruit generated by that extra effort, is also well worth the effort.
So, if you feel His calling, and it truly needs to be His calling, but you just don’t know how you would fit it in, step out in faith. The time will work out, and whatever extra effort you put in, the rewards will outweigh cost, as His Word works through you, today.
