“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).
MADE FOR GOD’S GLORY
Historically, a number of artists were so concerned about their art that they made the own paint brushes, there are some artists in the modern world who care so much about their art that they design and make their own brushes. They want the correct tools for the job of work that they are creating. In a similar way the Lord chooses people for different works within his kingdom, he cares so much about what he is doing that he makes us himself—we all have a job to do. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10).
We pray that we will not be poor tools in the Masters’ hands, not blunt when we should be sharp, not frayed around the edges when we ought to be straight and true.
The Lord uses heavenly beings, spiritual agents, differing types of angels to fulfil his work and build his kingdom. He also uses human beings, we all have work to do of some sort. We can all bear fruit that the Lord is looking for.
The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Thessalonica this, “we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you” (2 Thess 1:11–12).
We are made to bring glory to the Lord; may his name be praised not ours.
For we should remember our calling and who called us. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” (Rom 13:3–4).
We are tools in the Master’s service, living stones in his building and we are members of his body. So we take our place, we get into our lane and stay in it, doing the work that God has called us to do, whatever that may be. For God has created us by his will, for his pleasure. This universe is the framework in which he has placed us, the framework designed by God that we may learn, grow and become what he desires of us.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev 4:11).