Welcome to the second week in August 2016.. May we continue to forge ahead in our individual lives and may we be known for EXCELLENCE. Our theme this week is The Determined Worker. As you can agree with me if excellence is to be attained then determination must be a quality that we must embrace as workers in His vineyard.
Are we really determined as workers either in our secular fields or ministerial appointments? Determination is a quality and it is the quality of being firmly committed to something. Perhaps we should ask ourselves- who is a worker? Simply put it is somebody who WORKS, especially someone who does a particular type of work.
For example in our churches, we as workers have been assigned to departments, which is the particular type of work we are referring to today. In our places of employment we have been assigned offices and duties whereby we are expected to abide by the code of conduct of that organization.
But now that we have joined the workforce or staff membership of our churches and organizations, how determined are we to carry out our assigned duties thoroughly. The bible refers to determination as being steadfast. Determination is a key to success, not only in the church but also in our secular work, in our marital home and in our academic pursuits.
We all need a dose of determination to carry our vision through. I Corinthians 15 v 58 combines determination (steadfastness) with a continued effort to abound in the work of the LORD. It therefore combines determination with being a worker. Also, this verse uses the word, unmovable and combines it with determination.
Why? Because it takes a determined man to ignore all the distractions around him. If we are to rephrase this verse it would read AS YOU ALWAYS (NOT SOMETIMES, NOT NEVER) ABOUND OR EXCEL IN THE LORD ‘S WORK, BE STEADFAST BECAUSE THERE IS A REWARD.
Therefore, this verse tells us 2 things:
- We require determination as workers in spiritual things for the promotion of the gospel.
- There is a reward for determination, referred to as steadfastness.
Let’s look at the first point in more detail- We need to be resolute. In short, we need to make up our minds to be determined and do God’s work with excellence. We must be strong; it is prayer that brings strength and boldness. Our prayer and fasting should be a continuous exercise.
When we wait upon the LORD we become strong according to Isaiah 40 v 31. A worker in the church office who does not pray cannot renew his strength. Such a prayer-less man is a weak man, he is not strong and therefore he is not steadfast. Athletes especially boxers are determined.
They are determined to win their opponent, no matter the cost. They train and build up their bodies. They undergo rigorous training in preparation for the fight or competition. We too as determined workers are expected to have the determination and will to pray.
I pray that you will be determined, be prayerful, have vision, be not easily frustrated and be an overcomer. It is well with all that concerns you. God bless your week. Until next week by His grace, remain blessed.
