GET UP AND GET GOING

 

Doubtless, there have been times that your “get up and go” got up and went!  Maybe today you feel that way. As a pastor, I recall weeks where I had hospital visits, multiple funerals, perhaps counseling a couple in marital crisis, a committee meeting, Bible lessons to prepare, phone calls to field, and besides all this, children to take to school, ballgames to attend, grass to mow, and you come to Saturday. You know what follows—Sunday!  For the preacher, it is the biggest day of the week, and you have given until you are “give out.”  Catch your breath, grab a cup of coffee—and prepare your heart to preach. Here are some thoughts to strengthen you. 

THE LORD IS OUR MAKER, “For of Him…”.  He knew us and knit us together in our mother’s womb. God, in His sovereign work, formed a unique creation in you and me. The circumstances that we find ourselves in are because He has placed us there. Our potential and limitations are according to His formation of us. Surrender yourself as human clay in the Potter’s hands. Paul put it this way, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor.‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬‬). 

THE LORD IS OUR MEDIATOR, “and through Him…”. The Father so loved you that He sent His Son to suffer as no other to redeem you. It is through this atoning work that we are fit for heaven. Because Christ is our Mediator, we are not only fit for heaven, but to do heaven’s work here below. Others need to know of the grace that can save a wretch like them. We attest to it, for He saved such wretches as we are. Truly, it is the business of every believer to bear witness to the saving work of Christ, but God has called His preachers to set the standard.  Paul exhorted a young (perhaps tired) Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry,” (2 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬‬). 

THE LORD IS OUR MOTIVATOR, “and to Him are all things…”.  When tempted to throw up our hands in frustration or throw in the towel in defeat, remember this—it is not about us, but the Lord. The rationalizations we can make for giving up will be amply supplied by Satan. Indeed, we can probably come up with a few on our own!  Job’s wife offered this discouraging word, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). The bottom line is this: it is not the expectation of others, the commendation of colleagues, the recognition by church members, the remuneration that pays the bills—it is the passion to honor Christ that is our motivation, “to whom be glory forever. Amen.”