Recognized by God

Staying at Our Post(THE MESSAGE)

6 ^1-10 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,

I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.

Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

Several years ago, we went through a tough situation of my husband being out of work and seeking employment. We sold our house and did everything we could to prepare for the move we felt like our Lord had in store for us. Like this passage says, "People were watching..." Those people who were watching were the furthest thing from my mind. Sometimes, they would come to us and say how we were ministering to them by our attitudes and our faith. In truth, we were ever before the Lord begging Him to send us a job. We were humbled. We felt alone. We were scared. But by God's grace, we stayed at our post. I wonder what is going on in your life today that requires staying at your post. Hard times? Tough times? Bad times? People may be watching...that is true and people can come up with all kinds of opinions. Look though at what is says further down in the passage: "recognized by God." God recognizes when we stay our post! Hang in there friend! Keep doing what you know is right! Hold on tight to faith! You are making much of your Lord and He is paying attention!