8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
-Romans 1:8-15
God doesn’t need us to do His work, but He invites to join His work for our benefit. The Apostle Paul was possibly one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived. It’s possible that apart from Jesus, the Apostle Paul did more to further the Christian faith than anyone else.
Yet, from this passage, it’s clear that God didn’t need to use him. Notice how the passage tells us that Roman Christians were growing in their faith. And Paul’s writing also tells us that at this point he has not yet had a chance to visit Rome. Paul had no direct hand in helping the Roman church start or grow. God did!
God didn’t need Paul to serve Him. God invited Paul to serve Him so that the Apostle can enjoy the deep satisfaction in helping others know and grow in Jesus. In the same way, God doesn’t need us. He doesn’t need me for AYL or Harvesters. He doesn’t need you either.
Instead, God invites us to His story. He invites us to join Him in this adventure to save the world. He invites us not for His benefit, but for our benefit. When we do God’s will and serve Him, we feel His glory.
How is God inviting you to His work on earth? Are you listening?
No comments:
Post a Comment