So it’s been quite some time since my last entry.  I’d have to say that it is due to me prioritizing things strangely over the past couple of months.  School came to a close, work caught fire, wedding plans flew to the forefront, and well - I just haven’t made time.

I have however, been blessed with several emails over the course of the break, from people across the US and overseas with kind words to say about the blog and the entries.  Thank you!  That is always an encouragement, and it makes me marvel at the sovereignty of our King when I see that he can use a small thing like this to impact lives even a little!

The past couple weeks have been filled with reflections on the concept of “working” for God.  Often times it becomes easy, I think especially when we settle for “routine” Christianity, to develop a “works” lifestyle.  We can begin to associate our Christianity with accomplishing goals, such as church attendance, frequency of devotions, prayer schedules, ministry work, etc.  While this is clearly not what should define our Christianity (though are natural results of a devoted heart), I have since been convicted of the dangers of such a mindset.

When we begin to “complete” works in an effort to “do works” for God, we have a tendency to associate our own power in our faith.  We can begin to give credit to ourselves, glory to ourselves in what we accomplish.  We take these “works” and our nature begins to tempt us to compare ourselves with others.  We view others through prideful eyes and claim superiority in our faith by our works.  A works mindset leads to pride, and leads to self-glorification, not God-glorification.

We need to keep afresh upon our minds the truth that the entire purpose of our salvation is the glorification of Jesus Christ.  To Him belongs ALL the glory, not some, not most, but ALL.  We are all equally unworthy, all equally depraved.  When you really sit and think about it, how comical it can seem to compare the petty Christian “works” in an effort to define “holiness.”  This has never been the standard of God.  We are called to glorify God with our lives, our bodies - not “out-work” each other in a contest to be the best…tainted man.  We are all in need of a savior, and to him belongs all the Glory.

This is not a commentary in an effort to escape work for the Kingdom, but rather a refresher for our minds.  Let us focus on the fact our actions should be a product of our faith, our salvation in Christ.  Not what defines us as Christians.  That remains what it has always been.  Christ.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesian Benediction