Sister Tarpley’s Column: Completing God’s work

“I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:4.

When you have a big project to do, and when you finished the job and it was a big success, do you feel great about it and satisfied that you did your best?

The Lord has revealed to us that the number one thing we are to do is love the Lord our God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. His desire is for us to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

These mandates deal with our relationship with Him. The fruit of this relationship must then result in our glorifying Him by completing the work He has given each of us to do. It will become a by-product of this relationship, not an end in itself.

Jesus never did anything the Father had not instructed Him to do. He lived in such communion with the Father that He knew when to turn to the left and when to turn to the right.

Is it possible to have such a relationship with our heavenly Father? Yes. I think that if it weren’t, He would not have given us such an example.

“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3.

What has God called you to do? Perhaps you are called to be the best office worker in your company. Perhaps you are called to be the best lawyer in your city or the best advertising executive or the best assembly line person in your company or the best doctor.

Whatever work He has called you to, He will use you as His instrument to accomplish something that He has uniquely prepared you to do.

My father, Lloyd David Demus, always told his children, whether the job big or small, do it well or not at all. It may be that your parent told you the same thing.

God created every individual with a unique function in his/her life. “Sixty queens there may be, and eighty concubines, and virgins beyond number; but my dove, my perfect one, is unique…” Song of Solomon 6:8-9.

When our life is over, what a glorious day it will be if we can each say, “I have completed the work You gave me to do.” This will have brought great honor and glory to Him.

Ask God to show you what He wants you to do. Don’t place emphasis on your wants and desires; or things you like to do. Ask Him to help you to know in your spirit, if there are any “rights” you need to relinquish that may be hindering your freedom to experience God’s love and grace.

Seek His guidance in balancing your time and activities, your desires and needs, your work and play; every area of your life. Then give God all the glory. In Jesus’ name.

Thank God for His mercies every day. It is so easy for us humans to harbor anger and resentment against others. Be glad and thankful that God are not that way.

Ask God help you to remember who you are and to see yourself as He see you. Keep our focus on God and on improving your own faults, attitudes, and issues.

Pray for those who are burdened with feelings of anger, distrust, jealousy, unfair treatment…things that will eat at their souls…that you will release that burden and free them from it in the name of Jesus whose blood covers all our sin.