Every other week or so, I get stuck in the performance trap instead of resting in God’s grace. My mind twists messages I receive from others and what I read in scripture. I cannot always believe what I think. I manipulate and justify way too easily! I would not be able to successfully read the bible and understand it without positive outside influences; friends who are also Christ-followers, in-depth studies from Pastors, time to write and process, cause left to my own interpretation I am easily confused. My natural tendency is to think that if I only try harder I will get the things I want in life. If I work more hours I will get paid more. If I scrub the floor harder it will be cleaner. Doesn’t that make sense? The point I seemingly always forget is at what cost? Is it worth the extra money if I have no time for family or fun? Is it worth the clean floor if my fingertips are bloody? Luke chapter 10 is a great area to dissect and distinguish our work from God’s…

Later the Master selected 70 and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: “what a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.”- Luke 10:1-2(msg)

This tells me to first PRAY. But I don’t think we stop there. Read on:

“On your way! But be careful-this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.”-Luke 10:3

Jesus sent out the disciples to prepare the way, which tells me they had to work after they prayed. This illustrates a partnership with the supernatural. God goes before us to prepare the way much like the disciples went before Jesus to prepare the way for God’s word to be heard easily. But God had also gone before the disciples to prepare the preparation…when the 70 came back triumphant, Jesus reminded them,

“All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you-that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”-Luke 10:20

God could’ve prepared the way on his own. He didn’t need the 70 to go to the towns before Christ. But he did it so they could be witnesses to many miracles and thus strengthen their faith. This is like our work today. God doesn’t NEED us to help each other out. He allows us to serve others at home, at school, at work, at church, so we get to experience His presence.

Don’t get caught in the performance trap. When we focus on His presence, our work is always good, so there is no need to worry or overwork ourselves. Bask in the Glory of God when you work it will be so much more fruitful!

Are you feeling God’s presence today?