DOES THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE WANT TO USE ME IN ANY CAPACITY?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from 
yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. 
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

MEDITATION:
Most, if not all, believers are familiar with these verses; it is a reminder of several things:
1. Salvation is a gift from God
2. Salvation cannot be earned by anything we do 
   (however James says to ‘work out our salvation’, which simply means that 
   we are to be active in sharing our faith, and doing the things 
   that show others we are “sold out” to the Lord). 
3. Faith is required in order for us to receive God’s gift of salvation.

So, this brings us to this point:
we realize that salvation is a gift from God, 
we realize that we cannot work to gain salvation, 
and, we have faith that God has given us the gift of salvation – What now?

That is a great question 
and God’s Word provides the answer in the very next verse. 
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 
which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

How exciting is that? 
God has a purpose for each and every one of us...before we were even born. 
God did not intend for us to wander through life 
with no real purpose other than what the world has to offer.

We are important enough to Him to be valued participants in His ministry.
He even calls us His “handiwork” and we know that God doesn’t create “junk”.
Just to be sure we have a purpose, 
He set a path for us “in advance” of our birth.
Of course His goal for all believers is to “do good works”. 
The specifics for each person may be different, 
but the contributions are the same.

In order to enjoy our relationship with our Heavenly Father “to the fullest”, 
we need to identify what He wants us to do, 
and get busy about serving Him in that capacity.
How do we do that?

First of all, there is prayer. 
God gave us this venue so that we could come to Him for advice and direction 
(as well as asking for healing, encouragement, consolation, etc.).

Secondly, there is His Word (the Bible).
When we read the scriptures daily, He gives us new insights. 
The same verse may “trigger” one thought one day, 
and an entirely different one the next.

Thirdly is obedience.
“The LORD confides in those who fear him; 
he makes his covenant known to them” (Psalm 25:14)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 
all who follow his precepts have good understanding” (Psalm 111:10)

When we incorporate what we read into our daily lives, 
God’s Word “comes alive” and we begin to hear and understand His voice.
Conversely, if we do not obey what He has previously revealed to us, 
would it make sense for Him to give us deeper truths?
Our obedience opens the door to new insights and understandings of His Word.

Lastly, there is the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was resurrected, 
He sent the Holy Spirit as proof that He had been resurrected.
He also wanted His disciples (and us) to realize that the Holy Spirit 
would be with us to comfort us in time of sorrow, to guide us in our 
thinking, to assist us in fighting temptations, to pray for us when we 
have trouble finding the “right words”, and to help us understand our 
“role” in God’s ministry.

In summary, God feels that we are important enough to be part of His team 
and as a result, He provides us with what we need to be His “disciples”.
We no longer have to trudge through a daily routine 
of the ‘same old same old’, wondering if 
there is more to our earthly life – because there is!
Imagine for a moment how everything else 
pales in comparison to serving the Lord.

ACTION:
How is God using you right now?
Are you a participant in His ministry?
Are you doing what HE wants you to do, or are you doing 
what YOU want to do (and feel comfortable doing), 
and claiming it is His Will?
When you serve the Lord, you may be called to leave your comfort zone.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of salvation, and for calling 
me to be Your servant. Help me to understand Your purpose for me and 
to pursue it diligently with a passion to please You. Knowing that You
want me to be a part of Your earthly ministry gives me a new reason for
living and enjoying life filled with Your blessings.”

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