The administrator at our Christian school and I sat down for a meeting yesterday to wrestle through some decisions about the coming year. The economic downturn that is effecting the country has reduced the resources available to for that ministry so decisions needs to be made about closing the gap between income and expenses. At one point in our discussion, Cindy asked, "So where is God in these calculations?" Her words echoed in my mind all day. Where is the balance between fiscal responsibility on our part as those entrusted with this work and the faith to trust God to supply the funds needed? Some people fall off one end and believe that God will endorse all their good plans and efforts! Others are too willing to let the circumstances that exist around them create the boundaries for their vision!
I admire that spirit that wants to tackle challenges, build businesses, and make things work because I know that God left Adam in charge of the Garden. I am not a puppet in the hands of God. I am also aware of my limitations as a human being. Solomon reminds me: "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1, NIV) So, does that mean we are passive, that what we do and who we are is all up to Him? No! Something even more astonishing emerges from a study of the Scripture. God makes us partners with Him!
The critical issue for those who would do God's work is hearing from Him! When we know the will of God, we can go forward regardless of opposition, lack of funds, or limitations confident that He will give us everything we need to do His will. But, God is under no obligation whatever to fund our programs or bless our plans. James reminds us of the folly of presumption that looks like faith but is not. "Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."" (James 4:13-15, NLT)
The Bible teaches us about God's will with a metaphor. We read, "I went to the potter’s house, and sure enough, the potter was there, working away at his wheel. Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and use the same clay to make another pot. Then God’s Message came to me: "Can’t I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" God’s Decree! "Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:3-6, The Message) He can do with us as He pleases. Yet, He calls us into partnership with Him. Jesus Christ taught consistently that the choice of obedience is critical. God allows us to resist His will, to walk away from His perfect plan OR to submit to Him and let Him shape us into a Masterpiece.
Are you malleable in the hands of the Potter?
Are you submitted to Him, trusting in Him?
Then, live confidently! If God says, "Go!" you can proceed and believe He will work in you and your circumstances to produce something that is "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)
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1 comment:
Amen to that! I think there has to be a balance and to not be at any extreme. It's good to have faith in God that He will provide, but I think we do have to be rational about our decisions.
But if you know without a doubt that it is God's will, then I say "yes! absolutely! Go for it with confidence", as you have stated.
The trouble is knowing that it is God's will or not. We could be doing a good thing, but not necessarily what we are being called to do, and wind up over our heads.
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