Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 1-4
When I appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ at the end of my life or at the end of days (whichever comes first), I believe God is going to ask me a series of questions. What did you do with the woman I gave you as your wife? Did she become the woman I created her to be through her relationship with you? Did you love her and support and create an environment for her to thrive? What did you do with the children I entrusted to your care? Did they become the women and man I created them to be? Did you love them and support them and encourage them and create an environment for them to thrive? What about the congregation I entrusted to you? Did the people who called PEPC home become more like Christ under your leadership? Did you create an environment through your preaching and teaching and leading that gave them a chance to grow in their faith? Were you faithful in your meetings with them to love and encourage and confront and point them to My Son Jesus?
Why do I believe this? Because, like Paul, I believe all the relationships God has given me in my life are living “letters of recommendation.” The testimonies of my wife and children and congregation are all I need to rest secure in how God is using me to make an eternal impact for His Kingdom. I love how Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 MSG, “We couldn’t be more sure of ourselves in this—that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation. We wouldn’t think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter. His letter authorizes us to help carry out this new plan of action. The plan wasn’t written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It’s written with Spirit on spirit, his life on our lives!” Though Paul faces hostility both outside and inside the church, he is secure in his mission. He is secure in his leadership. He knows he is in the center of God’s will because of the impact God used him to make on the lives of the Corinthian Christians. Despite all their brokenness and sin, the Corinthians have come to know Christ. They are growing in their faith. They are moving towards holiness. And this is all the encouragement Paul needs to keep going.
There is nothing better than being part of the Spirit’s work to change lives. There is no better feeling in the world than to be used by God to make an eternal impact in the lives of those we love. As I look back over the years, I am in awe of how God has used me to bless my parents and in-laws, my wife and children, and the families in the congregations I’ve had the privilege to serve. I am not perfect by any stretch. I’ve had to ask for forgiveness numerous times for the mistakes I’ve made. Thankfully, however, God has been faithful and as I’ve surrendered more and more to Him, He’s used me in ways I could never have imagined. What about you? How is God using you to make an impact on those you live with, live among, and work alongside? Ask Him today to show you how to be a blessing in all your relationships.
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 5-9