To This End I Labor

Text: Colossians 1:28-29 Theme: Paul knew his job and how to accomplish it Key verses: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. What God said to me: Know your job, Dwayne, and how to accomplish it. This is your theme passage for the remainder of your days on this earth. This is your personal and professional mission statement. Let’s dissect it and see what it is I expect of you and the ministry I’ve now called you to.

1. First, make sure what you do proclaims – and that you do proclaim – me and only me. Never proclaim yourself and draw more attention to your name than you do to mine. Purposefully and continuously seek ways to make me known among the lost around you. Your calling to worship leaders is secondary to your mandate to witness to those who could go to hell separated from me.
2. Secondly, I have gifted you to teach. I have given you unique insights regarding worship and praise. Be a student of my Word for life. Never stop growing. Then passionately and joyfully pass your knowledge and wisdom on to anyone who will listen. Let me decide who those people are. You just be faithful to teach and admonish.
3. Third, know your goal, which is “to present everyone perfect in Christ.” In other words, you should feel the responsibility to help bring my people into maturity in my Son. That weight comes in the form of a cross for you – dying to yourself and allowing me to work through you to impact my little ones.
4. Fourth, once you clearly comprehend and accept your mission or “end,” then labor, work, even struggle at times to accomplish it. Plowing is back-breaking. Planting can be tough work. Breaking up fallow ground in men’s hearts is my doing, but I will do it in part through your labors. Dwayne, I love to see you rejoice. I enjoy the thrill that all my blessings are bringing to you and your family right now. However, understand and know this: What I have called you to will be some of the most challenging and difficult work you have ever done.
5. Fifth and most important, as you labor, as you stuggle, be sure to always do it in my energy. Never try to do it your own feeble weakness. You have all the power in and out of the world living inside you. That power is my Holy Spirit, and he is powerfully working in you to help you finish the tasks, the mission to which I have graciously and clearly called you.

What I said to God: Oh my Lord and my God, I hear and see this mission, this calling. I know this will be the theme verse of our ministry and our life for the remainder of our time here. Thank you for making it so abundantly clear. I submit to it. I claim your power. And by your grace I and my family will finish well!