A Worker Pleasing To God
2 Timothy 2: 14 - 26
In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs. All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.
(2 Timothy 2: 20, 21)
One of the very frequent topics that young people discuss within themselves is 'God's calling.' As someone who spends most of my time among young people, I have regularly been part of casual chats and serious discussions about the different purposes God has in each of our lives. At times, I have noticed the surprises and disappointments some of the young people feel about this precious calling. Either they begin to compare themselves with their fellow workers in God's kingdom and feel superior or they tend to see their own calling to be less impressive and feel inferior to the others. But what is more important is to realise God's purpose in this calling and to see whether our work is pleasing to God in terms of this purpose.
Paul's second letter to Timothy, especially the passage that addresses the essentials of a worker who pleases God (2 Timothy 2: 14 - 26), clearly outlines the things that we need to take into account when we discuss God's purpose in our lives. I would recommend this passage to be a framework that a mentor would use while helping a young person identify and cherish God's calling in her/his life. There are two important guidelines that I could identify in this passage that would help each of us approach God's calling in the right way. Let us look at them in detail.
It is important to realise that God has a calling for each of us. No comparisons!
Just as how Paul had used the metaphor of things made of gold, silver, wood and clay in a large house, let us remember that in God's kingdom each of us is recognised with whatever was given to us by God. Each of our little and big abilities and talents matter. Each of our physical and mental structures matter. Every one of our thoughts, ideas, likes and dislikes matter. And God, in His wonderful, eternal and marvellous plan, has created each of us in a particular way, with a particular physical structure and mindset that will help us live what He has called us for. Thus, it is important that we realise that God has a special purpose for each of us, according to His purpose. And we are assured in Him that whatever is needed for us to do His purpose is already given in abundance. It is not our work to compare ourselves with our fellow workers in God's kingdom and feel either superior or inferior. The passage we have read today clearly shows that "Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs. All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes" (2 Timothy 2: 20, 21). So what is important is to realise that we need to make ourselves clean from evil so that God will use us for the special and unique purpose that He has in our lives.
Those who are aware of this will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.
The reward of being aware of this truth is huge. The awareness that each of us is designed uniquely for God's unique purpose helps us to realise the responsibility that God expects from us. This awareness also helps us to realise that we need to be away from evil. At every point in our lives, we are called to be careful and to make ourselves distant from evil. And the rewards are indeed great. Let us remember that this reward is literally a lifestyle that pleases God. Paul says that all those who realise God's purpose in their lives and who make themselves clean from evil, "they will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work" (2 Timothy 2: 21). And this is our much-wanted lifestyle that would please God. As workers who are truly grounded on the calling that God has in our lives and as workers who continue to trust God in His purpose in our lives, we are called to be holy, useful to the Master and be ready to do any good work.
Thus, today God's calling is to live this life. You are invited to take up this lifestyle as you realise the value of God's calling and see things in your life as God's design and essentials for you to live the purpose He has in you. Let us look to God today as we realise, whether it for a special purpose or for an ordinary job, we are called to do it faithfully. Let us set our focus and minds on God as we see the precious purpose that He has through every little and big work we may get involved in. And, as we continue to do that, let us remember to make ourselves clean from evil. Let us take up a lifestyle where we live a holy life, useful to our Master and be ready to do any good work.
I pray that the blessings of God our Father, the grace and love of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit will be with each of us as we look forward to taking up this lifestyle that pleases God.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
"I surrender..." by Morgan Faleolo | Bethel Worship
