The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Whatsoever Ye Do"
The minor irritations of life often seem major. Because they are.
"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
The small matters of the day are where the battle mostly lies in our walk with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. In relative terms, few large things happen to any of us in proportion to the thousands of moments that comprise the vast majority of our lives. How we respond to God in the everyday, mundane challenges therefore grants the most opportunity to "fight the good fight of faith" and glorify the Lord Jesus thereby (I Timothy 6:12).
To understand and respond to this truth in the light of Scripture, we must remember that initial reactions do not necessarily mean we have lost a particular fight. The Psalmist illustrates this truth regarding temptations to distrust God by allowing fear to control us.
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).
The Psalmist does not suggest we have sinned by feeling afraid. He rather reveals that the temptation to being controlled by fear offers an opportunity of faith. We get to trust God, seizing the moment of temptation and turning it into triumph by faith. Our fleshly reaction actually paves a path upon which to walk with our Lord in a way that would not exist apart from the challenge. "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" exulted the Apostle Paul regarding challenges that may seem to initially overwhelm, but which become scenes of victory through Christ (Romans 8:37).
Apply this truth to minor irritations. Such initial responses are not sin. Our flesh reacts in such circumstances. But will our spirit overcome the fleshly reaction? "Awake to righteousness and sin not" (I Corinthians 15:34). We may initially chafe about performing yet again an everyday chore or responsibility we have done a thousand times in the past. "I am so tired of this!" our flesh may complain. If we succumb to the temptation, the task will feel like an irritating burden. Most importantly, we will miss the opportunity to honor our Lord. Conversely, if our spirit awakens in the challenge, realizing the opportunity that lies before it to trust and submit to God in what we do and how we do it, we will know the peace and even the joy of "Whatsoever ye do."
A Gospel tract from many years ago illustrates the truth. A soldier named Joe (known as "Holy Joe" by his comrades) performed everyday duties, including peeling potatoes, with an attitude of joy and the clear indication He knew the power of "whatsoever ye do." Did Joe awaken every morning, feeling such peace? Was he not sometimes tempted to respond otherwise, viewing the endless piles of potatoes as aggravation, rather than opportunity to honor His Lord in a small matter of the day? Certainly, Holy Joe sometimes felt what we all feel. However, of far more consequence, he knew the One we know. He chose to acknowledge God's presence, involvement, and enabling in all things, whereby the minor irritations of life life are discovered to serve as major opportunities to glorify and reveal the Lord Jesus. Every potato peeled in the blessing and responsibility of "Whatever ye do" became the means whereby Joe knew the Lord's peace - and transmitted it to others.
No truth of Scripture more grants to us the realization of God's marvelous grace in Christ. Whether irritation or whatever the moment may involve, the seemingly small matters of the day beckon us to the most major endeavor of our existence. We get to trust and obey God, honoring Him, knowing His peace in our hearts, and serving as a light to others. Little wonder the writer of Hebrews referred to "so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). So great a Savior has come to dwell within us, and also waits to meet us along every pathway of life as the fulfillment of "Whatsoever ye do" constitutes every moment as major in its opportunity…
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord."
(Colossians 3:23)
Weekly Memory Verse
My strength is made perfect in weakness.
(II Corinthians 12:9)
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