Entrusted

Hi sisters,

Do you have any interesting childhood church memories? I have to admit, I was not always a fan of church services as a kid. Then one day, to my childhood dismay, the pastor said that heaven would be one giant church service! I literally had a conversation in my head, “No, that can’t be it. Do I still want to go? I’m sure it is better than the alternative, but that sounds horrible.” I laugh at that memory now. I am thankful I have a better understanding that we are praying/ living for God’s will to be done HERE as it is in HEAVEN. Heaven is not a distant place where I go when I die. Rather, God is reuniting heaven and earth to its perfect unification.  I want to transition to my quiet times, but a great video on the concept of heaven and earth is a topical video by the Bible Project. Click here.

Since our goal is not celestial real estate for when we die, there must be a reason God has left us on this earth. In my quiet times, I have noted a few ways in which we have been “entrusted” with God’s will while God continues to give us breath in our lungs. The first comes from Genesis.

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion” . . . The LORD took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 1:29, 2:15)

God gave humankind a job. Work was instituted before the fall, not a consequence of the fall. He entrusted humanity with His creation, the plants, animals, water, etc. It’s like giving an artist a blank canvas, paint brushes, and paints, then saying, “Have at it!” God’s creation was a blank canvas with raw materials for humanity to steward.

And this responsibility is still ours. God reiterated the job to Noah after the flood. Therefore, there’s a two-fold lesson. One, work is good and we are entrusted with work to do! Whether it is doing the laundry, gardening, doing our taxes, earning a paycheck, working our dream job, working a tough job, etc. it is work and it is good. We are taking raw materials and producing, creating, etc. for the benefit of our families, other people,  and/or our communities. This includes the smallest task to the work of world leaders.

Two, what we do with God’s creation matters. I remember years ago in art class, my art teacher was passionate about taking care of the paint brushes. He instructed us to properly wash them in order to make them last. Using a paint brush with color still in it or a paint brush that is frayed will most certainly create imperfections on the painting. Likewise, we are entrusted with God’s creation.

Another passage I read in my quiet times was from Galatians:

“I had been entrusted with the gospel” (Galatians 2:7)

This is for all who claim to follow Jesus. We are set apart for the sake of the gospel. We do not get a pass at this. Any fears, such as “I don’t talk well,” “I am not gifted in speaking,” I’m scared of rejection,” I am an introvert,” and more cannot be used as excuses. Moses stuttered, Paul didn’t speak eloquently, the disciples were common fishermen, and the woman at the well was a social outcast. Since we really have no excuse, then the implications are: we are entrusted to share what we know (whatever that amount is) AND we are entrusted to continue to grow in our understanding of the gospel!

The last passage is from Colossians:

“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (4:17)

We are entrusted with the ministry God gives us. He has given us spiritual gifts to contribute to the Body of Christ. He has also allowed us to have life experiences that He plans to use for others (See I II Corinthians 1:3-7). And this is the passage with which I am struggling. I do not want my current struggles to be part of my story. Maybe some of you know what I mean? We know God can use our disappointments, hurts, and failures to minister to others, but we want God to choose someone else.

Are you, like me, wrestling with God on the ministry He is giving you? Maybe for you it is a ministry for other single women like yourself? A ministry to other women who are survivors of child abuse? A ministry to other women who are survivors of sexual assault? A ministry to other women who also have a child who is living for the world? A ministry to other women who are battling addiction? A ministry to women who have a child with disabilities? A ministry to other women who struggle with anxiety and/or depression? A ministry to other women whose marriages are in shambles? A ministry to other women who have walked on the side of the world and carry tons of shame from past decisions?

In summary, we are entrusted with work, God’s creation, the Gospel, and the ministry God gives us to accomplish (allowing Him to redeem). All of this is part of us making disciples of all nations! And let us not forget, He has empowered us by His Spirit!