Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul was hyper-focused on his calling from our Lord Jesus and we too should emulate His passion. Our Lord was always about His Father’s work just as we are to be about His work as well. Unlike duty, service is a natural outpouring of the love He has poured into us. And what He pours in, we are to pour out to those in our spheres – much like breathing. If we hoard His grace we will surely sit, soak and sour. Grace was never meant to be grasped and hoarded but given freely. Just as it has been freely given to us. To those whom much has been given, much is expected – not in duty but delight.
God desires our fruitfulness in His service because serving brings our lives so much blessing, purpose and pleasure. We do not wander around in a trackless waste. And one never outgives God. He doesn’t need us – any old rock will do. Yet He allows us the privilege to be vessels of blessing in His mighty Hand and that, my friends, is taking hold of the life that is truly life. That is the abundance He so freely desires to bestow upon every heir of mercy - on all who are obedient to His calling on their lives. We were made for abundance and He loves seeing growth and fruitfulness in His fields. God has daily plans for each of His children and we want to walk in obedience in them. His ways are the best – far superior to our own plans and agendas no matter how great they may seem. Have you ever noticed that we can make our plans but God often changes them? If you are seeking to stand firm in His will mature and fully assured, He will not let you miss His best for your life – though it may be extraordinarily difficult, it produces a life well lived and one without regrets. We do not want to miss His best for us. God is serious about our service. The one who is pruned to bring forth much fruit, will bring forth much fruit. As we abide in Jesus, we can be assured of a harvest if we do not give up. Remember, harvests come at a cost but they are so worth it. Do not be surprised at the price.
I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?” Isaiah 5:1-4 (NIV)