God-given opportunity to serve

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 1 Timothy 1:12-15 If you are to base your judgment as to the acceptability of Paul before God, you might conclude that he is disqualified to be a follower of Christ. As he described himself from the text, he persecuted Christians and blasphemed the name of God. This is why he referred to himself as the “worst of all sinners.” Yet, when he came to know Christ as Lord and Savior, everything in his life changed. He placed his faith in Christ and embraced the belief that he zealously fought against before. In his thankfulness to the new life he received from God, he worked hard to share the message of salvation. Every opportunity, large or small, that God opens for him, he gladly receives. Because of his faithfulness even in the small things that God entrusted to Him, God used him to do greater things. God led him to places where he could share God’s word and ultimately became the notable missionary for God’s glory. He was grateful to God that he was entrusted such ministries. He was also aware that he needed to rely of God’s power and the working of the Holy Spirit so he could do what he was called by God to accomplish. “Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14). Your call from God to serve Him is not based on your abilities and in your past accomplishments. You serve God because you want to be faithful to Him. If you are faithful to His will for your life, He will provide you power and strength. So, do not think that what you are doing is a small thing. It is not about the size of the task that matters before God, what matters is your faithfulness to do the task. Don’t be concerned whether you will be distinguished or commended by others because of what you are doing, your concern is on how you are giving your all and your best to the Lord. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (Luke 16:10).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com