Having spent countless hours studying, researching, pondering and praying, I questioned if my efforts were worthwhile. Seeking validation and a sense of worth, I silently offered a quick prayer: Lord, will I see the results? In reflection, I realized that was somewhat of a selfish prayer. I had allowed myself to get caught up in our culture that emphasizes performance over peace, results over effectiveness, and quantity over quality. Immediately the Spirit reminded me of these words preserved for our enlightenment:
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers … 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 niv
He had called me to the work I was doing. My task was to do it to the best of my ability. But I was not responsible for the results, the outcome or the performance that others might measure to quantify effectiveness. Therefore, let us keep our eyes on the goal …
So we make it our goal to please him … 2 Corinthians 5:9 niv
What are your goals? Where do you spend your time, energy and resources? For what will you reach in the days to come? How will you measure your effectiveness?
And should you wonder about mine in sharing these things ramblings with you, the ancient writers penned it best:
My goal is that they [you, dear reader] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they [you] may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they [you] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 niv
Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 niv
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