Make Yourself Usable at Work - The Work Place

by Charles Ligon

Every Christian should want to be used by God in some special way, even while at work. In fact, it should be the goal of every workplace believer to have a transformational presence where they work. But are we usable? I’ve never forgotten the words of Leo Humphreys (missionary) while serving with him on a short-term mission trip to El Salvador. He said, “We pray that God will use us. Instead, we should make ourselves usable and He will wear us out for His Glory.”

Is there a difference between wanting God to use us and making ourselves usable? The answer is an emphatic “Yes”; there is a difference. When I ask God to use me, I am asking Him to work within the scope of my pre-arranged plans. Whereas, if the focus is on making myself usable, I will more likely serve His purposes and fulfill His plans because I am adapting to the situation in which I have been placed. The Bible says, many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21). There is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will and fulfilling His purposes. So, the million dollar question…how do we make ourselves usable?

First, understand that we’ve been created as vessels (Romans 9: 21; 23). A vessel is designed to contain something. To be usable God wants to fill us with His Spirit so that we can make known the riches of His glory. What’s more, the Bible says that we are His chosen vessels and we are to bear His name before others (Acts 9:15). Second, in order to be usable, a vessel must be clean. 2 Timothy 2:21 says that if we cleanse ourselves, we will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful by the Master. We are cleansed by dealing with personal sin and seeking His forgiveness every day. Third, if a vessel is to be usable, it must be available. We make ourselves available by staying connected to the vine. Jesus said I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him will bear much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. (John 15:5).

Our workplace challenge is to focus first on being usable vessels. How? Be filled daily by His Spirit, be cleansed and purified of any personal sin and stay connected to the Vine (John 14:7) so that we can bear much fruit and the Father will be glorified (John 14:8). Leo was right. If we make ourselves usable, He’ll wear us out doing great things for His glory.

Missionary Grandparents Among Us

Dear Friends:

Did you know that someone in our Bible Study group has a granddaughter that goes on Mission Trips quite frequently.  This young lady is amazing.  The proud and humble grandparents happen to be Wayne and Carol Kabot.  If you have not yet been able to meet them here is a great way to do so.  They have, along with Sydney, given permission for our class to be able to keep up on Sydney's mission trips and service to others through her Facebook page.  Her is the address for her. 

https://www.facebook.com/sydsmissions

Here is her latest post from May 27, 2015

She writes, "I am extremely overwhelmed and blessed! I leave tomorrow at five am for the airport to head to orientation and then to the Island! It's so exciting and scary. Thank you all who have supported me emotionally, spiritually, and financially! Because of you, the Gospel will be preached in a Muslim country. Because of your support, people will hear of Jesus Christ for the first time.
Thank you for you support! Please continue to pray. Prayer is a huge aspect in my ministry and would appreciate prayer warriors to cover my team and the ministry opportunities! I will be back home July 31st.  I hope everyone has a blessed summer!"

Along with her journeys abroad, she also has had a journey of illness.  Ask Wayne and Carol about this remarkable and faithful young lady.  You will be blessed as Rich and I were when we were told how God is using her.

As a class, let's pray for her and keep up on her life.  Thank you for your prayers for her and her family.  It is not easy doing what she is doing, but with God you can go where He leads and sends you.

Blessings,
Deb Paradis

Like a Rock, The Work Place

by Charles Ligon

Let’s be honest, some people in the workplace are hard to love. You know who I’m speaking of…he is abrupt…or arrogant…or especially mouthy. She is a know-it-all…a busy-body…one who injects too much strong opinion and stirs gossip. No matter how spiritual you try to be, it is difficult to “love them in the Lord”.  In fact, way too often, we avoid them and go the other way.

When I was a children’s pastor I used to keep a jagged and unattractive rock about the size of a softball on my bookshelf. The ugly rock was there to remind me on a daily basis…that, while presently unattractive, within it existed a very beautiful sculpture. The rock simply needed someone to carve, chip away and hone the jagged edges so that the masterpiece within could be revealed.  The rock was a constant reminder to me that the children in my ministry were the same way. Sometimes because of wrong and/or disrespectful behavior they were very difficult to love. However, I knew, and the Bible reminded me in Psalm 139:14, that every human being had been “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. Wrong behavior did not change that fact. So, I needed to see them as His creation and praise Him for His marvelous works. Their parents and I were slowly chipping away, polishing and perfecting the beautiful sculpture that God had already created within these children. 

The people in our workplaces are no different. They have been fearfully and wonderfully made by God and repulsive behavior does not change this fact. God created them, He loves them…and He calls workplace believers to see them and love them as He does. Perhaps our example and our love for them will contribute to the honing process.  Perhaps God wants to use us to refine some of their rough edges. Furthermore, perhaps our changed perspective in this regard will polish a few of our rough edges…making us more into the image of God.  

 

Workplace Challenge: Adjust your perspective and start seeing the unlovable people in your workplace as God’s special creation. Begin to look through His eyes and see them as He does. If necessary, find an unattractive rock and place it on the corner of your desk as a reminder that within everyone is a beautiful sculpture, a masterpiece created by God. Now that is workplace ministry at its best!