Patiently Working

When it is January, most plants look like death has prevailed over them. Bulbs, though, are busy underground, planning, preparing for their work in the early spring. Their assignment from their Creator is to bring Him glory. Their nature is their hope of success. Their assignments may not be understood, but they will be fulfilled.

Your work today may seem hidden, ineffective, slow, having no point or hope of realization. The Spirit’s work has not stopped. Yours cannot. Without confirmation that you will finish, or succeed, or even that the work you apply your strength to is the right work, you must do what you believe today is the right work.

Spring will come, whether we are ready or not. Even if we are no longer here, Spring will come. A little longer, and our work will be tested. Some of my best work so far has been with the least certainty. Some of my greatest success has seemed to have been accidental more than intentional.

Listen as well as you can. Obey as well as you can. Expect the work the Spirit has done and will do to be sufficient to complete your assignments. He wrote the script for your faith. He will finish it. Live as if you are going to succeed.

Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord: the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
(James 5:10-11 HCSB ©®)