The Works of God Seen through Me

Have you ever asked the question, “What it is my purpose in life?”  If you’re like me, the answer to that question depends greatly upon your job and the activities that you’re involved in outside of work, such as church, community service, civic work, and more. But is that where we should begin thinking when we want to answer the question of ‘my purpose’ in life.  Who gets to decide what our purpose is anyway?

I want to suggest that before we head out the door today, or any day, that we pause and acknowledge ‘the One’ who defines our purpose in straightforward terms.  In the Gospel of John, chapter 9, we read about an encounter that Jesus and his disciples had with a man who was born blind.  Naturally speaking, this man had limitations, things that hindered him in living a purposeful life—at least we can be tempted to think so.  But Jesus helps us see beyond our own natural limitations demonstrated by our “limiting thinking.”  

Some thought this man’s blindness was due to his or his parents' sin.  Jesus, however, dismisses these theories, telling everyone present that this man’s blindness has happened “…so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  What we call a limitation or handicap, God’s calls an opportunity for glory.  Most of us will not experience human frailties such as blindness in our lives, but we do create in our minds and by our actions limitations that hinder us from embracing the work of God that He is doing.

Every day we experience joys and sorrows, as well as times of peace and trial.  All of these experiences are here to serve a grand purpose—and it’s not our purpose, nor our family’s nor our employer’s.  Our lives serve God’s purpose.  It is the works of God that should be on display in our life each day.  Suddenly, when everything is brought into this perspective, we see that there are no pointless happenings in life.  Nothing is left to chance, nor karma.  

God is actively at work for His glory and our good.  Sometimes we are spiritually blind, even if for a moment, and we can’t see what God is doing now, and neither can we perceive His plans for the future.  This is where faith helps us.  “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof  of what is not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)  So then the questions are “am I going to trust God to will and to work, for His good pleasure, through my life? Will I see the limitless opportunities for His glory and my that reveal themselves in the ordinary course of a day?”

So then, how should we begin our day?  I suggest not by asking God to work through our lives but by asking Him to make and keep us aware of how He plans to put His works on display in through us today.  May we see His glory every day!

Yours in Christ,
Chaplain James Chavis

---