“And [the people] were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well . . .”
(Mark 7:37a)
No matter what station of life we may occupy, we find ourselves entrusted with a good deal of personal responsibility. I discovered this in the workplace when I went from manual labor in a lumber mill to an office in an aerospace company. Suddenly I was required to learn, in some depth, a host of technical material such as metallurgy, weld theory, and precision measurement, as well as the company’s labyrinth of complicated policies, procedures, and processes. The first few months on the job were challenging and stressful, and I bathed every task in prayer. Soon my supervisor pulled me aside to compliment me on my work. “God has been helping me,” I replied. My supervisor was dumbfounded. “Why don’t you just take credit for what you’ve done? She asked, “Why do you need to bring God into it?” That provided me with a wonderful opportunity to explain to her how dependent we really are upon God. The Bible assures us that without the enablement of Him Who holds the world together, we can do exactly nothing (John 15:5). “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Even in a perfect, unfallen state, original man, Adam, had to depend upon God in this way. How much more must we, who contend continually with sin-induced limitations and proneness to error, depend upon God’s guidance and providential care? The One Who did all things well did so because He submitted Himself, completely and entirely, to His Heavenly Father. “I can of mine own self do nothing,” said Jesus, “as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30). Our Lord’s full submission to His Father, and the unspeakably great and fruitful ministry that followed as a result, furnish us with a flawless example to follow. The Scriptures assure us that if we will walk with God, consulting and delighting in His word, we too will prosper in our work (Psalm 1:1-3); we too will do things well. Whether on the job, or tending to family, or on the mission field, or whatever activity we find ourselves engaged in, whether in word or deed, let us “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). May God help us to serve those to whom we are accountable, with humility, respect, and sincerity, “as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:5-7). May our faithful submission to God garner for us a good reputation as those who indeed do all things well. May this be so, to the glory of God and for the good of others. By the way, my supervisor did in fact receive the Lord Jesus for salvation, but that is another story!
God bless,
Pastor John
English