The Blog Of Dysfunction

I was with some of my friends from church the other day. We were meeting after a long time, and so we sat around and gassed for a long time talking about studies, future plans, work, football and how church politics was affecting growth. Just before we were going to disperse one of my friends, M, popped this question;

So, guys, what are you doing for God now? what do you want to do for God?”

I had expected some awkward silence but the guys all seemed to know precisely what they were going to do “for God”. One guy said that he was planning to go abroad so that he could earn a lot of money to start a work among the street children in India after about ten years or so, when he had adequate money. Another guy said that he was planning to tithe at least 20 percent of his income once he was making above 50 grand a month. Some one else said that his plan was to set aside an amount of his money regularly so that he could give it for printing of tracts. One of us who was still a student said that she would join a mission organization for 2 to 3 years after her course got over till she got married. It seemed to me that in another four or five years there was going to be an explosion of “Gods work” in India. Things were going all fine for everyone except me till M dropped this bomb;

“So, guys, is this what you think God wants from you? Do you think this will make Him happy? Can we actually “do” anything “for” God?”

Suddenly I could hear my own breathing, then, everyone was speaking together in hushed, even surprised tones as if the guy had asked a stupid or scandalous question.

What can I do “for” god? Can I make plans for his glory?

Let me illustrate; my mom would be most happy if I were to get married to the girl she “chooses” for me or if after I passed out from my college my juniors would remember me as a child of God with a good testimony than if I were to write a best selling novel and gift her a million dollars. Sure she would be happy for me and would be glad that there was so much more money to give away to the missions but that would not be what she desires to see me as, not her dream. All she asks for is obedience to her and to the precepts of the word of god she has taught me as a child.

Sure I have to “do” something of her to make her happy but in reality it is not what I “did” but my obedience that she wants. She has a dream for me; that I be a good son today and a good husband and father tomorrow. Our standards of judging victory and success are so very different.

Imagine trying to please God with my standards of “good works” and telling him my plans for his glory. My friends were making mistakes with the best of intentions, but as we read in Ephesians 2:10;

For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.(Emphasis mine)

He requires us to be obedient not ambitious, following His plans not ours. He will build His church based on His blueprints, not mine.

Lord grant me that I in my zeal do not walk away form you. May your plans be mine. Show me your way Lord. Let me not wander away from your will, for my soul is haughty and forgets that without you I am nothing and outsiide your will there is no good.

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“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”