21 - For Just being Two Letters – OK – Is A Big Word

OK – That was the word she wrote in the margin. OK? OK – What?  “When Peter’s sick mother-in-law was healed by Jesus, she instantly ‘stood up and began to serve Jesus.’ [Matthew 8:15] She began using her new gift of health.  This is what we are to do.  We are healed to help others.  We are blessed to be a blessing. We are saved to serve, not to sit around and wait for heaven.” ^{(p229 note)} That is what she said OK to.

No one would blame her if she did sit around – when compared to many other Christians – she had done more than enough serving for one lifetime.  But we are not the ones who get to decide when enough is enough.  We are not the captain of our ships and many mutiny against the captain.  We mutiny for the bounty – the bountiful, natural, comfortable life.  A life free of any worry, loss, or sacrifice.

Knowing how important my wife and I are to each other, I can only imagine what it would be like if one of us should be called home before the other.  We serve together like a hand in a glove. Then, suddenly, there is no hand to fill the glove or no glove to cover and protect the hand. It would only be natural to think the time to serve had also passed along with the one we loved. The super-natural truth is that it is God who shapes us, fills us, empowers us and provides the opportunities for service – not our mate.

Perhaps mom had been thinking that she should just wait for heaven, and then the Spirit spoke to her heart. The common temptation when the Spirit speaks is to dispel the thought.  1 Thessalonians 5:19 says “Do not quench the Spirit.” Why would we have to be told that if it were not going to be a problem, a temptation for us? The moment Mom wrote “OK” she had overcome the temptation, yielded her heart – her will, to the Spirit’s leading.  

Recently someone told me that after I finished the house I am working on, I could stop knowing that I had done enough. But, it is God who decides that, not me.  And with respect to your life, not you. Jesus said “if you seek the praise of men, you have your reward.” (Matthew 6:1) as such, it will not be men who decide what for the glory of God and the good of men will be.  Nor when that service will come to an end.  

“Anytime you are using your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling” ^{(p229 note)} Mom highlighted and underlined that sentence.  For her and, I think, for me. “He is the potter and we are the clay.  Mold me and make me.  Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way.”

Note: Taken from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Copyright © 2002 by Rick Warren. Use by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com