Suit Up For Work
This week Randy Kilgore reminds us that Jesus chose his team from some unlikely occupations and places, His ability to empower them is still available to those who would be modern-day marketplace ambassadors for Christ
Ernie
P.S. - Save the date in your calendar for breakfast with CBMC leaders at the Grill on the Hill in Worcester on Tuesday, July 11 from 7:00 to 8:15 am.
Marketplace Ambassador Network
Breakfast at the Grill on the Hill
Tuesday, July 11, 7:00 to 8:15 am
Suit Up For Work
By Randy Kilgore
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
(Ephesians 6:10-13)
Having just scored the most significant triumph in human history, Jesus limited His post-Resurrection appearances to a group of frightened fishermen and a band of men and women who barely mattered in the culture of their day. Why? Why not show up on Pilate's doorstep and shock him? Why not skip Pilate and head straight to Rome? Surely the Emperor would have been impressed. Or how about showing up in the Sanhedrin and turning the heads of the High Priest and his entourage?
Instead, Jesus sits on a seashore and coaxes the weak back to strength, trusting the most important message in the history of the world to a few hardy souls with little to distinguish them. What a mission He gave them! What a wonderful chance to repay Him for His friendship, His gentle care, indeed His ultimate sacrifice.
Having already scored the most significant triumph in human history, Jesus still limits His appearances. Why? Why not show up on the steps of the Supreme Court, or the White House? Why not make a stop on Larry King Live, or Oprah?
Instead, Jesus trusts His work to a band of men and women who barely matter in their culture...Christians wrestling against their own sin nature, wrestling against forces they can't see and sometimes don't believe in. Quietly he coaxes us back to strength, counting on us to remember His friendship, His gentle care, indeed His ultimate sacrifice.
Will we change the culture like those early disciples? Will we surrender this day, and its labors, to His glory?
The forces arrayed against us are formidable indeed, and they include not just oppressive schedules and restrictive personnel policies. They include our own selfish, sinful natures, and an enemy who will press us at every point where we show signs of bearing fruit for the Kingdom.
As we tackle the tasks of this day, let us do so emboldened not by our own wisdom, but by the full armor of God.
A WORK PRAYER
Let us pray as Paul exhorted the Ephesian church: "...know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God..." (Ephesians 3:19). Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How does the fact that Jesus limited His post-Resurrection appearances to regular working people apply to working believers today?
2. When you feel emboldened at work is it because of your own wisdom or because you are equipped with the full armor of God?
This WorkLife SwitchTOOL was written by Randy Kilgore, Senior Writer and Workplace Chaplain for Desired Haven Ministries. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Content edited and distributed by WorkLife.org for non-profit educational purposes.
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