First Read - Luke 10:1-20
Accomplishments - Amy R Neices
It started when my employer asked me to participate in unethical business practices. It ended with me giving notice and leaving my career.
The upside? Having a clear conscience. Not having to make lame excuses to God.
The downside? Several awful, shameful years of job slumming as I tried to get back into my career: Wondering how I went from smart-kid-with-shining-future to schmuck-in-a- low-skills-job. Adding to the guilt, I felt awful for mourning my career loss, rather than feeling elated for following Christ’s teachings.
A series of quiet miracles surfaced. I made ends meet on minimum wage. I finagled gigs that kept my portfolio full of active work samples. When I finally (!) landed contract work in my career, it was during an economic downturn. I had steady work despite com- peting in a job market flooded with professionals who had more skills than me.
However, God accomplished more. He gave weight to those words we use on Sundays. Words like “peace” and “hope” and “faith” and “promise” and “future”—all of them became real. Through teaching me what those words meant, God made it easier for me to know him, to trust him, and to have faith in him.
God accomplished a deeper faith in me, through those painful years. And that was worth the difficulty.
Reflections
As you read these twenty verses what about the disciples’ task is unglamorous? What about their task is glamorous? How could they have felt accomplishment and success in the tasks Jesus gave them?
How have you felt accomplished in the tasks Jesus has given you? Has this brought joy or satisfaction? Have you noticed pride in those moments or seasons? Do you feel you are attempting to earn God’s favor by your spiritual accomplishments?
As his “kingdom has come near” and we participate with him in his kingdom work where do your spiritual satisfactions lie? Do they lie in your own capabilities and successes or do they lie in what Christ has accomplished?
Meditate on Colossians 2:10-15. As you do, confess any tendencies you may have to “claim glory” for yourself. Thank him for accomplishing what you could never hope to.
Turn from your sin and turn your face toward Christ.