Tis' the Season

 It is the season.


No, not the season of holly and folly, Christmas trees and presents. Not that anything is wrong with buying gifts, though it's better if that same love has been shown all year. 

But, the season I am talking about is the one in which the Lord is calling all of those who profess to love, follow and obey him to show themselves strong. To work toward building his Kingdom in a real way, not just through lip service.  I truly believe that this is a "put up or shut up" season of the Lord.


Some of us, as God's disciples, have wasted way too much time "desiring this and desiring that" and not being willing to use the skills and abilities he gave us to the fullest extent. Often, we have used our energy waiting for God to send someone to pay this bill, buy this item or do something else for us, instead of plotting out a course of action under God's direction to get these things for ourselves. 

God has planted both gifts and talents in us that we have failed to nurture; instead choosing to wait on him to perform some miracle to get us the things that we want and need. Not that he can't and hasn't performed miracles time after time. But we should not live our lives in a slovenly manner, wasting the talents and gifts he has given us because we are afraid of new territory, new experiences or even new successes. I believe God fully expects us to consult him, and then to nurture the talents and gifts, eventually using them for the benefit of our fellow human beings. 


Throughout scripture God speaks of the glory and benefit of hard work, so there should be no confusion about his expectations. 


Let's make a commitment this year to work as if we are working for God in everything that we do; whether it be for pay or as volunteers. Let's make a promise to work hard, and dedicate our time to building up some entity that is truly serving God's people, whether it be your church, an organization or an effort at your current place of employment. Let's ask God to allow his anointing to fall fresh each day so that every minute of our lives we can operate as the loving servants he called us to be. Let's do these things for unselfish reasons; just because God asked us to and we are being obedient. Let's leave our comfort zones and trust God completely; moving out into new territory and knowing that if we step out into the water like Peter, God will never let us drown, even if we lose our faith for a moment. 

Let's truly begin to act like disciples of God; going where He sends us, saying what He tells us to say, seeing what He shows us, being what He calls us to be, and sowing where He says to sow. Each of our efforts truly can change the world; especially if we learn to operate in the spiritual gifts and talents that God has imbued us with.
 
 Scriptures for further reading: Working
Proverbs 12:11
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:25
The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.


Matthew 9:37
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.


Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

 Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.