2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14 ESV, 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 ESV, Psalm 31:19-24 ESV, Proverbs 21:4 ESV
Daily Verse: “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV)
PERIPATEO (4043): “To tread all around, i.e., walk at large (espec. As proof of ability); fig. to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary).[i]
Walk at large.
Leading comes naturally after spending a lifetime volunteering, working, and attending trainings on the topic. In truth, we all lead people in our lives, whether we think we do or not. Following Jesus makes us leaders.
Whatever task God gives us, He wants us to do it well.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:24-24 ESV)
Finish well.
Pastor Mike Cooke[i], friend, and mentor, taught me to pray, “Lord, help me finish well.” He often spoke about finishing well during the transition from one church to another. Not wanting to leave work undone, Mike completed his pastoral duties well by having the hard conversations and doing the complicated steps.
When faced with a challenging task, I pray, “Lord, help me finish well.” When working on my degree or finishing my book, “Three Word Prayers,” God often heard the prayer. Currently, the words come from my lips as I work to finish my next book.
People watch you when you work. When others learn you follow Jesus, they want to see how you handle life’s situations. Non-believers chat about judgemental Christ-followers, but they judge, too, without Jesus’s grace.
Whatever task God gives you today, do it with all your heart. Remember, people watch you learning more about Jesus. Lead them by finishing your job well and glorifying Christ.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 199) Thomas Nelson
[i] https://lifecommunitychurch.cc/blog/
