They were all doing the same thing, but their perspectives were different.
He lumbered through what appeared to be a construction site. As he came upon one who was busting rocks, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The worker replied, “I’m busting rocks.”
He asked another. “I’m working for my family.”
Then a third, “Sir, what are you doing?”
“I’m building a church,” he replied.
In fact, they were all busting rocks—the results of which would be used to build a magnificent cathedral. But only one grasped that perspective. For the others, it was just work to pass the day or support a family.
On God’s construction site, I should never say, “I’m merely busting rocks,” or “I don’t know why I’m here. God wasted His time creating me.”
Every believer has at least one spiritual gift. Among them are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, discerning of spirits, and mercy.
How many gifts we have or get may in part be determined by what we do with the one God gives us. God removes what we don’t use but gives more when we’re faithful. Nor does He expect us to use them all the same way. My opportunities are unique. Even when we have the same opportunities, we use them differently because our personalities vary.
The gifts we have aren’t nearly as important as what we do with them. Christians aren’t in competition. We are busting rocks for a greater purpose—to advance God’s Kingdom. If we lose sight of that, we’ll lose our excitement in doing His work. Focusing on the end result—the salvation and growth of souls, helps us maintain our perspective.
Most of us won’t live to see the end result of our work for God. Many of the construction workers died before the cathedral was completed. While wonderful to witness someone being saved or deciding to get serious in their walk with God, we will only see the entire impact of our work when we reach eternity. But we have the confidence that nothing we do in God’s name with the right motive will go unnoticed by Him.
Are you merely “busting rocks?” If so, let God change your perspective.
Prayer: Father, remind us that whatever we do in Your name is important and will not go unnoticed.
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and greenfinger.)
(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at [email protected].