THE FUEL OF FAITHFULNESS

“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  ‎To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:28-29 NKJV)

What gets you up when your get up and go has got up and gone? 

The alarm clock goes off and you know you should say, “Good morning, Lord!”  Instead your say, “Good Lord, morning!”  Then you cast your feet over the side of the bed, they fall with a thud to the floor and you trudge to the bathroom.  Looking in the mirror, you see the dark circles under the eyes, a furrowed brow—how you wish you could just collapse back on the mattress, cover up your head and forget it.

On Sunday morning, it’s even more tempting.  It’s not like you have to go to work or school!  Well, unless you are the pastor!

I must confess that sometimes I have similar thoughts.  The older I get and the more pressures that arise, physical strength ebbs and emotional stamina fades.  Yet, as difficult as it is to keep moving ahead, it is harder to quit!  There is something deep inside that is greater than the burdens outside—God’s Spirit working through His Word—those truths indelibly marked on the heart that beats strongly with a passion rooted in His promises.

Such fuels faithfulness—verses like that of Colossians 1:28-29—which I have claimed as my life verses, and express my mission statement.  I know what I was placed in this world to do.  I cannot evade it; I dare not try to escape it; I must embrace it!

After countless sermons—eighteen years of them in the pulpit of Pole Creek Baptist Church—I still stand on Sunday and preach Christ.  So long as there are sinners to be warned, I must be a watchman, faithful at my station, lest their blood be required at my hands (see Ezekiel 3).  While there are truths to be taught to edify the saints, then I must share that wisdom.  This will fuel the faithfulness of the flock—and one day I will stand before God and give an account, whether men approve of my message and manner or not.  The Chief Shepherd will look at my ministry and judge me by whether I have fed the flock!

How long must I stay at my task?  Until we reach heaven, there is work to do.

There is only one way to accomplish a job this big—that is with a power surpassing human might.  Paul acknowledged that it was the power of God working through him that kept him going and caused him to be effective.  Today I lean on Him.  This doesn’t deny the frailty of my flesh.  It’s early morning when I type these words and I am truly tired.  But, I have work to do—and it is a joyous privilege to serve Christ.  In that Day I see Him, it will have been worth all the toil.  May God make my labor productive and use me for His glory!

What is the fuel that keeps you going?  Do you know your mission in life?