You have been entrusted by God, in accordance with your ability, with which He equipped you, for good works which He also prepared beforehand. You’re a seed, prepackaged and equipped, for a predetermined destiny of good works for God’s glory. You’ve been created to multiply His image over the earth so He has delegated to you the responsibility to represent and manage His Kingdom while He is away preparing His crowning work for this creation.
1. Be aware.
Recognize your purpose, which is to glorify God in everything, through love.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10
2. Evaluate your motive.
If it isn’t love, it isn’t God. Do everything with His glory in mind.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride.. you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others… each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another… so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Phil. 2:3-4; 4:10-11
3. Seek His will.
Submit your plans to Him, the important ones, and the trivial. Pray for wisdom and direction; lay your plans out before the Lord. Include Him.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight… Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Prov. 3:6; Jam. 1:5
3. Trust Him completely.
Trust that not only is He able to grant you success, but that He is able to correct or even redirect you if need be. Trust that He is more than able to make you see what He is showing you and hear what He is telling you. Trust that He knows of what you are capable. His grace is sufficient and He is able to fill up what is lacking in you.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding… for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Prov. 3:5; Phil. 2:13
4. Move.
Execute yours plans while expecting His correction, redirection, or veto. In other words step out in faith being open to His leading.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours… Therefore we are always confident… For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Mark 11:24; 2 Cor. 5:6-7
5. Be grateful.
Maintain a heart of thanksgiving especially in the difficult circumstances. Growth is uncomfortable because it is the fruit of struggle and perseverance, but it’s your attitude in the midst of the upheaval that determines how you are shaped by it.
“Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:16-18
FORGED 