2025-01-17
Good Morning Dear Ones,
As promised last week, this devotion will deal with the intriguing question: After surrender what? We should look at the depth of one’s surrender to the Lord first. God has given each of us a talent or set of talents to use for His purposes. Often a person new to the faith doesn’t know what his talent or talents are. However, he does know what interests him. There are some people who are good at math, puzzles, organizing data and the sciences. There are others that are readers and writers, public speakers, and/or like politics. Still others are nurturers, interested in the kind of social help that comes from non-profits, staying home and raising children, being part of the clergy, and a myriad of other pursuits on earth. Some people need to take vocational testing to find out where their strengths are. In my experience personally, I had to listen to God’s direction in prayer to find out that He has a purpose for all of us. EPH 2: 10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.”
We must understand that God is in charge, and we are not. IS 46: 9b-10, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do as I please.” In His perfect time and if we are willing to listen to His direction, we will eventually be doing what He wants us to do ---that purpose which is in our best interests. In my case, I studied biology and chemistry, because I was interested in these things, not knowing that God’s purpose for me was not to be a doctor. That was the career my earthly father (who was a doctor) wanted me to follow. While I will never regret having studied these subjects, God was waiting until my surrender was sufficient for Him to call me to ministry. I know that only from hindsight. My example is by no means unique; the same change in direction happens often as people mature through their younger years and surrender to God’s will for them.
One’s surrender to God can take place in any of many settings. Some will do it in combat, some will do it in the workplace, some will do it as a child who remains loyal to the Lord all his life, some will do it as adults due to some kind of big change, illness, or loss in their lives, some are called to faith from different belief systems, and some will surrender shortly before physical death. There are as many circumstances as there are people to experience them. Suppression of one’s spiritual life cannot be permanent, as exemplified by the many “underground places of worship” in countries in the Soviet block and repressive regimes like those in China and North Korea today.
Having said all of this, allow me to return to the original question: After surrender, what? Psalm 1:3 – “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” If we are carrying out the tasks that God has set before us, He is pleased, and we are working at what is in our best eternal interests. God waits until we are sufficiently mature, and if we have a healthy, active relationship with Him, He will let us know that. In other words, things at our jobs will work out to our fulfillment and satisfaction. This applies no matter in what field our calling is in. Our careers are designed for the benefit of the society in which we live. If our motives or choice of how we spend our time is not beneficial, God will let us know that too. COL 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Our attitude and motives make a big difference, not only to our relationships with others on the job, but also to our Lord. This last citation is a reminder that we need to be thinking in eternal terms, not just about our lives on earth. I’m a huge proponent of students staying in school to get the best training they can. However, there are people who were not created to be good students and leave their schooling right after high school. They can best serve God in jobs working doing manual labor or any of the vocations, like electricians, plumbers, construction workers, waiting on tables, trash collectors and the like. They should receive the same respect as any other career, with the understanding that our society can’t succeed without them. They too, can be servants of God, just as professionals can be.
PRAYER: O Lord, we are seeing the intersection of human-crafted values with Yours in the varying attitudes we have toward people’s careers. You have created us and given us skill sets that allow us to carry out Your will. Your will is always what is in our best interests. So, Dear Father, we desire to best serve as You according to Your will. Too many people place money, power, and prestige above serving You. We pray today that this will eventually change. MT 13: 31-32, “He told them another parable: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so the bird come and perch in its branches.’” Thanksgiving and praise to You for the wisdom in Your word and Your love for us, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue writing on today’s question: After surrender, what? The choice we must make is whether or not we “think eternally,” placing God’s will above human motivations. That is not always easy to do, but we must assess our motives as individuals, places of worship, and as a society. Let’s not forget MT 5: 16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
I’m writing this devotion during the Christmas season and would like to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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