“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one WILL BE BLESSED in what he does”. (James 1:25, NKJV)
There are times in ministry (or, walking in purpose) where our fuel seems to run nearly on empty. We begin to feel that we don’t have enough to do what is needed. Our faith begins to be tested. In James 1:3, the Word says “the testing of our faith produces patience”. But while we are being patient, our faith teaches us that God WILL uphold His promise to come through. Because we are DOERS of His work and not just hearers only, He promises that we WILL be blessed in what we do.
Ok Herm, why did you go there? Because I was running on empty in TWO ways earlier today. I was frustrated because certain things that I KNOW are to happen in my life are taking so long to come around (you'd think I'd know better with all the good Word I've been getting). I began to think that it would hurt a little LESS to just give up…let the dream die…forget it existed. Yes! Doubt had entered my mind BIG TIME. That was only part one.
Part two? Tomorrow is pay day, but I had a need TODAY. I had exhausted all of my funds putting money in church (my Godly privilege), giving to help others (my Christian duty), and paying bills (my civic responsibility). I thought it was SO unfair that I would drive to work this morning on E and almost lost faith in the fact that God would make a way.
Suddenly, I was blessed with $35 that I didn’t expect. What’s the lesson here? The Mazda only uses Premium gas, so $35 wasn’t going to do much for my tank. But even though the fuel level wasn’t enough to fill it up, it WAS enough to get me everywhere I need to go until my direct deposit goes on tonight!
Some of us are “running out of fuel” as it relates to ministry. Our Godly privilege, Christian duty, and civic responsibilities are causing us to feel drained and almost “on empty”. We get paranoid and panic, thinking that what we have is not enough to get the job done. But with this passage of scripture, and my testimony for today of God’s provision, I hope you remember that what you have may not “appear” to be enough in your eyes…but it’s just enough to get you where you’re going until more comes! Because you are a DOER and not just a HEARER….you WILL be blessed. That’s the assurance that better IS coming.
Use what you’ve got until you get to “better”, and have a GREAT Thursday!
