2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17 ESV, Romans 1:1-17 ESV, Psalm 9:13-20 ESV, Proverbs 19:4-5 ESV
Daily Verse: “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7 ESV)
KLETOS (2822): “invited, i.e., appoint, or a saint: -called. In Roman 1:7 and 1 Cor 1:2, the meaning is “saints by calling.”[i]
Saints by calling.
God created you for a chosen purpose. No one else can fulfill the Maker’s plan for your life but you. Trying to accomplish someone else’s divine task will lead to failure. MVPs don’t exist without teams. Becoming one of God’s Most Valuable Players requires playing your position well.
Ron and I’s first volunteer gig together involved cleaning toilets. Our role happened behind the scenes. While people worshipped God in the auditorium, we cleaned the bathrooms, refilled the mints, and emptied the garbage. Praying over the mints became my favorite part of the job; not knowing who would enjoy which ones, I prayed all would have their lives impacted as they learned about Jesus.
Every position counts.
Whatever task God gives you, whether cleaning toilets or speaking from the podium, they build the kingdom. Someone has to run the sound system, clean the bathrooms and preach the message. No role carries more weight than any other, all of us equal in God’s eyes.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
As Christ followers, our tasks differ, but the importance remains the same. Without each of us doing what God called us to do, His kingdom wouldn’t advance. Our Creator’s plan unfolds one day at a time as we apply His commands to our lives.
Whatever divine task God assigns you, do it to your best ability. Building the kingdom requires all types of people to do different things. Instead of changing people into your image, help them strive to become more like Jesus. Give others space to live the life God intended them to live, not the one you want them to live.
Letting go of your expectations allows God to shine brightly through others as they fulfill His purpose for their lives.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 108) Thomas Nelson
