Love to hear from and know who is listening
I am not certain about the rest of you, but I frequently have these bright ideas that I am confident God will be proud of. It is “My way or the highway” so you can either go with me or get out of my way. I charge head first into my projects,... then when things don't seem to be going quite as smoothly as I thought they should I ask God to join me! Our lives must be lived as Christ lived. Our focus must be for God's glory and not for our own. In the days in which we live, many people strive for notoriety, personal fame and fortune, for their own personal gain and not for God's glory. Rather than chase after fame and fortune Jesus calls us to walk in humility. One of the greatest examples of humility is when Jesus washed the disciples feet, just before he was betrayed by Judas, just before the last supper, just before he was to be crucified. In John chapter 13 verses 14 and 15 Jesus asked the disciples this question, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Are the things you are striving for, the things that you are passionate about,... things that will be for your glory or for God's glory? We must do the “Lord's work in the Lord's way!” All of us have abilities, all of of us strengths, but the fact is if we operate focused on our own abilities and strengths, we are doomed to fail!
John 15:5 NIV I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If your doing it your way, nothing you do will have an eternal impact. In Philippians chapter 2 verses 3 and 4 the bible says Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to the interests of the others. If you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior you must be doing God's work. His work is not just confined to those who teach a Sunday school class or preach a sermon, it can be done in your workplace in your daily lives. Philippians says in humility value others above yourself. God's work can be displayed in an unselfish lifestyle. A lifestyle that does not say, look at me and what I have done, a life that puts others interest before their own interests. So what does God's work in action look like. You can find the answer in Romans chapter 12 verses 10 through 18.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
So you don't have to be employed by the church to do God's work. All you have to do is love others just as God loves you. Back in the 70s, the folks at Burger King developed a successful ad campaign with the slogan, “Have It Your Way,” based on the fast-food chain's willingness to tailor orders to each individual's tastes and preferences. If you want to have an eternal impact you must do the Lord's work the Lord's way. You can't have it your way. You must put the needs of other before your own.
Mark 10:45