Staying focused on doing good can be a difficult task. However, it is exactly what we are called to do. Doing good helps us remain in hope that good will surely come our way. Of course, that is so long as we, “do not give up.” Not giving up is where most of us fall short. We give up because we try to muscle our way through life. We try to take on doing good all on our own. God never called us to do anything alone. He called us to depend on Him. Thus, when we put doing good in the context of depending on God to help us with each step we will not become weary. We will grasp and reach for the promises He has for our lives. God never wanted to bless us just once. He wants to pour out blessings on top of blessings to us. The one requirement He gives us is to do good and keep doing good no matter what. This should be applied to all aspects of our lives. Our behavior, our actions, our speech, our thoughts and the list goes on. When we do good we expound the name of God and all He stands for. Do not try to take this task on without Him. It is a big task. Let Him help.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
Doing work for the Lord can feel uncertain, without direction, or even pointless. Yet when we examine those feelings and put them next to the world’s expectations we quickly realize the only reason we feel this way is because we are moving contrary to the world. The work God has us doing will never feel like the work we do for the world. We will not receive accolades and affirmations as the world has been set up. We will be called over and over again to work for His sight alone. It will feel unusual and odd. As we continue to do the Lord’s work we will grow in our strength and resolve to stand in what is not of the world. This is not to say that we will not still have our bouts of doubt, confusion, and difficulty. It does mean the longer we stay in this work for Him, the bigger and better the work will become. It also means the more dependent we will become on Him. That's exactly where He wants us, full dependence on Him. It is only then that we can be completely humbled that where we are at and what we are doing is not by any human hand. His divine work is never in vain. We should be honored to do such great things.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
A Story of Doing Good without Understanding:
I went to college. I got a great job. A job with benefits, promotion opportunities, and all the comforts of employment the world told me were the right things. I worked for objectives that changed based on who was in charge. I knew I loved serving others, but other than that my heart was never in the work. I still tried to do good. However, I was doing good to get affirmation from other people that I was good at my job.
I am no longer in that job. It was an interesting couple of years. I know now it was a very important time in my life to learn from what I had to what I have. Although, at the time I transitioned out of that job I was resentful that it had come to an end. I had let that job define me. It was who I was. I had lost myself. I only knew how to do for the world. God was taking me on a journey to learn how to do for Him.
It has been several years since that transition. I am no where I thought I would be. God has stretched me and continues to. I am no longer defined by a profession. I look up way more. I have learned to do for Him and Him alone. On occasion I do want recognition, but He breaks me of this human habit more each day. I now find joy in doing good, because whomever is in my path is another child of God. I pray my life is shaped by Him and not my own earthly understanding.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
Considerations for your planner:
- Write down what doing good looks like to you when it is coming from someone else? Then evaluate if you are upholding the standard of good you have for others.
- Write down what motivates you to work. Then ask yourself, do you work for the sight of God alone?
