Monday, February 15, 2010

The Work is Mine to Do
by Elizabeth Cole

“Tell Archippus [Paul’s “fellow solder”]:
‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.’”
Colossians 4:17

I wonder what his mom thought. Harry S. Truman grew up on and ran the family farm, served in World War I, and failed in the men’s clothing business. When serving as his state’s senator, Truman was nominated to run as President Roosevelt’s Vice President, mostly due to political expediency. Upon entering office, Truman hardly interacted with President Roosevelt, and was given no knowledge of either the Manhattan Project’s atomic bomb nor the escalating problems with the Soviet Union. That is, until 82 days into office when President Roosevelt died unexpectedly and Harry Truman became the 33rd president of the United States of America. In less than four months in office, President Truman oversaw the end of World War II, helped set up the governance of defeated Germany, and authorized the drop of atomic bombs to end the war with Japan. Quite a long way from a farm in Missouri.

In his 1953 farewell address as he left office, he stated, “When Franklin Roosevelt died, I felt there must be a million men better qualified than I, to take up the Presidential task. But the work was mine to do, and I had to do it.”(1)

Ever been called by God into a situation where you were sure someone…anyone!…would be better qualified than you? Where, if you didn’t know in your heart of hearts that He was asking you to do it, you’d grab your tennies and run for the hills?

If you make it a habit of stepping out in faith, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll echo President Truman’s sentiments: There must be a million women better qualified than I! Better qualified to counsel a neighbor; better qualified to care for a sick relative; better qualified to tell someone about Jesus. And you know what? You’re probably right. If I read my Bible correctly, God’s call is not based on our extraordinary abilities or talents, rather He takes delight in using who the world calls the foolish, the weak, the lowly. What He’s most interested in is an available heart that’s willing to set aside boasting and totally depend on Him as the work is done. And by the way, if God is as intent on refining us as He says He is, why would He call us to tasks we know we can accomplish on our own?

Hey, Happy President’s Day! Now go and do your work!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Any chance you’re avoiding God’s call in your life because you’re waiting for someone more qualified to show up? What might you do about that?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 10:36-39, 13:21; 1 Corinthians 26-31

(1) http://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3355

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.
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