7 Questions: Doing God’s Work or Your Work

As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” –Luke 9:33-35

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If my family had taught me anything growing up, it’s this:

WORK HARDER, NOT SMARTER

You read that right. It was always a matter of something going wrong, and you pushing harder and harder. I believe it may even be on our family crest.

In some cases, this was extremely beneficial. There’s nothing more impressive, nowadays, than an overweening tenacity. This has helped me get to where I am today, and there is no way that I can repay this; you taught me to outwork everyone in my life, and I have, mom and dad.

WORKING HARDER DOESN’T GET YOU ANYWHERE

You know, sometimes you can’t make it on your own. Trying to push a car uphill to the gas station. Recreating entire documents from scratch rather than waiting an hour to receive it from someone. Getting up earlier and staying up later than everyone. No, these things did not help; it became doing the right thing in the wrong way, and lead to much more heartbreak and frustration than any man can handle.

GOD’S WORK, YOUR WORK?

“C’mon everyone. We’re going to set up six all-night prayer meetings. I know you’re already coming out to Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday night, and your small group, but the only way you’ll grow is to add this!”

“Lift those hands in worship! Who’s in love with Jesus?! Hasn’t Jesus rescued you? I know you’re tired, but He asks for one day entirely of worship! Sing louder, clap those hands together!”

“God asks for 10% of your income! We’ve given you all calculators to help you figure it out. You can give in the offering, or online, by cash, check, credit, debit, BitCoin, Paypal or food box tops! You must give, we’ve made it easy and now is your chance!!!”

“People won’t come to Christ unless the come to church first! You can do it! You can’t do it!”

JESUS KNOWS A BETTER WAY

It reminds me of the Transfiguration.

Imagine, you’re surrounded by the entire glory of God. You are seeing Heaven, Jesus lighting up in front of you like you’re staring at the sun. All of a sudden you say the first thing that comes to mind. Instead of trusting Jesus, it’s work harder.

“Jesus, this is awesome! Let’s build you, Moses, and Elijah houses so we can trap- I mean worship all that’s going on. It’s the best idea I’ve ever had!”

DOING CHURCH

You see a lot of “church” that we do is done in our effort. We work from dusk to dawn just to make sure the faith babies are fed. We find ourselves doing all the work of the ministry, rather than equipping the people. We beg and plead for prayer and giving. However, we never see Jesus beg or plead, He just does it naturally.

We did it, just not God’s way.

DOES GOD EVEN NEED TO SHOW UP?

Have you ever walked out of a service, and wondered if God even needed to be there? We set processes up, master the practice of sermon writing, polish our music, and push our greeting times. Did the Holy Spirit need to show up?

WE DID IT, JUST NOT GOD’S WAY

We did it, just not God’s way. And what is His way?

“This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.”

Listen to Him. Do what He says.