We Ain’t Runnin’ the Show
Slide on over here, friend, an' come on up on this here front porch so you can git yourself settled into this ol’ rocker that just has your name written all over it, but be ready ‘cause it gits to creakin’ louder than an ol’ bullfrog sittin’ on a wet stump. We’re ‘bout to take a lil’ ol’ journey into a truth that runs deeper than an ol’ crawdad hole after a week of hard rain showers. Paul once begged the believers in Rome, in Romans 15:30, to strive together with him in prayer. And friend, that right there tells us somethin’ mighty important. Even a man who wrote half the New Testament knew he couldn’t do God’s work without God’s help. That there’s like tryin’ to plow a field with an ol’ onery, blind mule. You might git to movin’ forward a little, but you’ll tear up everything else in the process.
Paul had a great, big job on his hands. He was gatherin’ support for the persecuted believers in Jerusalem, and Second Corinthians chapters 8 an’ 9 tell us ‘bout him encouragin’ the churches in Achaia an’ Macedonia to be givin’ generously. He was organizin’ folks, coordinatin’ helpers, and makin’ sure the money got to where it was needin’ to be goin’. That there’s enough work to make a lil’ ol’ squirrel git to droppin’ its acorns and decidin’ to just take a nap. But even with all that there hustle goin’ on, Paul never forgot that the whole doggone thing would just fall apart quicker than a pie crust in July heat if God wasn’t right there in it. He knew that human effort without divine help is like stirrin’ a pot with no fire under it. You can stir all day, but nothin’ is gonna cook.
On his way to Jerusalem, Acts 20:22 through 24 tells us that Paul was meetin’ with the leaders from Ephesus. He knew danger was waitin’ for him, but he was plumb doggone determined to be finishin’ with the work God done gave him to git done. And tucked right there in Romans 15:23 through 30 is the reminder that while Paul was doin’ the work, he was dependin’ real heavy on God to be makin’ it succeed. It’s the perfect kind o’ blend of sweat an’ surrender. Effort an’ reliance. Workin’ hard an’ prayin’ even harder. Paul wasn’t just doin’ ministry. He was leanin’ on the One who makes ministry matter.
Friend, whatever you’re doin’ for the Lord, don’t ever be lettin’ your hands get so busy that your heart plumb forgets Who is really runnin’ the show. A. W. Tozer said it real plain when he said, “In an effort to get the work of the Lord done, we often lose contact with the Lord of the work.” And that there will git to dryin’ your spirit out quicker than a creek bed that ain’t seen no rain since way before Easter. God never asked you to carry the load alone. He just asked you to stay close enough to Him that He can carry it through you.
Lord, help me be rememberin’ that every good work begins with You, continues through You, and succeeds because of You. Keep me humble, prayerful, and dependent on Your strength. Let me never run ahead of You or try to carry what only You can lift. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, glory be, friend, as you git to moseyin’ back into the bustle of life, hold real tight to God’s truth like a lil’ ol’ squirrel clutchin’ real tight to its last acorn of winter. God ain’t never asked you to be the whole wagon that's carryin’ the full load. He’s just needin’ some o’ them there willing wheels. Keep on stayin’ real close to Him. Keep on leanin’ on Him. Keep on trustin’ in Him. And keep on lettin’ Him be the One who’s steerin’ the team. ‘Cause all the work that’s done with God will always go a whole lot farther than any work that’s done alone, an’ that there’s all the way from the rooster’s crow at sunup to the last cricket’s chirp at midnight. It’s all ‘bout Him!
With joy,
Gwen
