Doing God's Work - January 2011

Have you ever gotten so caught up in doing what God has called you to do that you’ve forgotten to BE who he’s called you to be?

Doing God’s work is exciting!  When he calls you to take action, to DO something, to step up and make something happen…and then you do it…the feeling is intoxicating.  In that moment, you can see how you make a difference, how you fit into the big picture, how he can use you to make a difference for someone else.  You get the giddy pleasure of seeing the fruits of your labor, and it creates a longing desire for more.  That longing desire opens your eyes to more opportunities, and before you know it, you’re hooked on the rush of giving, or serving, or advising, or leading, all in big, amazing, far-reaching ways.  And that’s a good thing, right?  

Of course it is! The Bible tells us: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.  Clearly, we need to be doing what God has called us to do! 
But what happens when we forget to be who he has called us to be?  When we get so caught up in DOING his work that we neglect to be a respectful wife, a loving husband, a teaching parent, an obedient child?  When we’re so focused on our next spiritual high that we lose sight of who we’re pushing aside to get it?  Are we fulfilling his plan if we get annoyed with the person who’s making us late to church because they just won’t stop asking us where we’re going and how they can get there?
My goal in 2011 is to stop looking for the instant highs & focus on being in him. I don’t want to so caught up in doing what God has called me to do that I forget to BE who he’s called me to be.