“I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” John 17:4 NKJV
“God’s estimation and approval of your obedience is all that ultimately matters.”
My thoughts today are about “a job well done!”
There is something infinitely satisfying about finishing a task, and resting satisfied that it was done well; the opposite is also true – unfinished, unsatisfied! Just a few years ago, I felt like I “was finished,” but there was not the satisfying sense of resting from a job well done. I was tired, struggling with feeling less effective than in previous seasons of ministry, and beginning to doubt if I were the one to finish the task, or even able to do so. I was ready to move out of the way for someone better able to seize the opportunity of what God wanted for the ministries here. I am neither the first, nor likely to be the last who have felt that.
In my heart, I knew that “the work God had given me to do” (John 17:4 NKJV) was not finished; still I saw no way that it could be. I was trying to do what I had been taught to do, “Occupy till (He comes)” (Luke 19:13 KJV) – faithfully doing the best you can, when you can, and where you can. I have been told the word from which “occupy” is translated could describe a merchant ordering goods, or a farmer preparing his fields, for the upcoming season. In the Biblical context, occupy means to be gainfully engaged in the present task while busily preparing for opportunities ahead, certainly not just taking up space nor merely marking time.
I stayed busy and hopefully faithful, but had lost the clarity and confidence of what my assignment really was. Doing the right things, I had forgotten to do the best thing. The best thing you will ever do is to fulfill the unique call and work that God has just for you. But God never forgets; His work stays uppermost in His thoughts and purpose. And God never fails ts to be gracious. Unexpectedly, God gave me an opportunity to see Him accomplish what He had put in my heart years earlier.
The last years have become the most exciting, satisfying, and fruitful years of all our time serving this Church Family. Gayle and I could not have been happier. I have learned that success and satisfaction in life is found only in “finishing the work God has given you to do.” Life is not about doing what you want to do, or even what you think you are best at doing; it is doing exactly what God created, called, and anointed you to do. See Galatians 6:9 NIV.
In an upper room before Jesus was betrayed, He prayed, “I have finished the work which You gave Me to do.” John 17:4 NKJV. Jesus knew what He was born to do. Individually, we have different jobs; we all have the same task – doing God’s will. On a cross amid chaos, Jesus triumphantly affirmed, “It is finished!” John 19:30. Jesus did what He alone could do. Accomplishing the will of God fully, He died for your sins and became your Savior. See Hebrews 12:2 NKJV.
At creation, God surveyed all He had made, pronounced it as good, and rested. See Genesis 1. That can and should be true for your life as well. I have learned in these recent years of ministry that God will not let you be done, until you are finished. When finally you and I stand in His presence, our faith and highest hope is to hear His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . enter the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:23 NKJV. God’s estimation and approval of your obedient service, and mine, is all that ultimately matters.
My prayer for you today is that you finish God’s work, undistracted and undiscouraged.