Workman - Ephesians 2:10

          "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
           which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

  I have been so encouraged by this scripture from the time I first read it and it made a connection to my heart and mind. For me, I've always coupled it with Jeremiah 29:11
          "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,
           thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
and 1 Corintians 3:9, "For we are God's fellow workers..."

  All that tells me that I have meaning, I have purpose, I have a calling - and that it's all good. Sadly, it doesn't say that I always follow that leading but it does reinforce the fact that I'm not a mistake and there is the opportunity to apply this understanding to and in my life. Soooo, what do I need to do to be God's workman?  One of the more obvious things I need to do is to take an assessment of my giftings and talents. What am I that can be of use to the Lord... and before that sounds too altruistic or, conversely, too self aggrandizing - it is a logical beginning point. What is it that I bring, what is my responsibility?

  When you read Paul's direction to Timothy, I think it is applicable to all of us:
           "...show yourself approved, a worker who does not need to be
            ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth..." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Obviously this would require us to know and apply, not just read, God's Word. The Bible is a great aid for us and can be the standard on which we stand. It is not designed, at least in my estimation, to hit people over the head.

  If the Bible is our basis then the scripture that should motivate us comes from Jesus' words when He says that His disciples will be known by their love. But this is a love  that is strong not gooey. If we are God's fellow workers then our motivation has to be a love that is typified by our example - Jesus and how He interacted with others. It does mean telling others when they are headed for danger but it doesn't threaten. The fine line that we have to walk becomes our strength and I know that sounds counterintuitive.

  Workman. This is an honorable profession. We can be light in a dark world but it depends on how we apply the scripture we 'know'. Remember always that we live in hope, we live in a future marked by peace. We can provide this to others in the world we live in - we can apply scripture to life.

what kind of workman are you? what are you building?