Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:23-25 (NIV)
How does one eat an elephant? Simply one bite at a time. Consistency is so underrated, Amen? There is no limit to what God will do through the life that is consistent in ordinary faithfulness towards Him. Simply continuing to do the next right thing for God’s glory and for our own good. Indeed, ordinary faithfulness is anything but ordinary. Walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel – daily pleasing our Lord in all we say and do and think – adds up to a life extraordinarily well lived. No doubt about it, one never outgives God. He blesses our obedience and strengthens our resolves through His power. He equips us to stand firm in His will mature and fully assured and we can trust Him for the power to go forth for His glory.
The problem does not lie with God, rather us. We have a tendency to put off, take off, lay off the important - giving way to the tyranny of the urgent - in lieu of embracing the faithful and consistent walk of the righteous. Whatever is the loudest seems to get our attention and with so many devises and dings and rings in this world, we stay distracted like bees flitting from flower to flower – getting only what we need to make it to the next bud. Distractions keep us from progressing, hindering our growth making us unprofitable. If all we do is put out fires we do not go forward in building anything. Also, it is super easy to blend with the world – measuring ourselves against it rather than seeking to stand out like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life, Amen? Common, is well, common, Amen?
God desires for us to persevere even under suffering and persecution – remaining faithful to whatever He has called us to do. We are the great losers if we do not choose to walk in His ways for our lives. His plans are not to harm us but give us hope and a future. And they are good and pleasing and perfect. The Creator knows what is best for His creation.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:19-21 (NIV)