Monday, August 8, 2011

A Job To Do


Everyone had a job to do. But not everyone was happy with the job that had been assigned. Discontent moved beyond thoughts, becoming words that fostered rebellion. Dissatisfaction continued to spread until more than two hundred and fifty people were affected. The instigators of the rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were determined to let their voices be heard.

Why were Moses and Aaron the ones in charge of leading the children of Israel? Weren't Korah and his followers just as qualified? Their indignation led them to an unpleasant confrontation, "And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?" (Numbers 16:3; KJV).

Moses responded in wisdom. He saw through the fact that Korah wasn't satisfied with his position as a Levite, ministering in the tabernacle of God. Korah wanted the power of the priesthood also. But he failed to realize that God was the One who appointed the priests, not man.

Dissatisfaction with the roles God had given them, was the undoing of Korah and his followers. They paid the ultimate price, "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods." Reads a bit like a science fiction thriller, doesn't it? But there's an important lesson to learn here.

Just as in Moses' day, the Lord continues to give believers jobs to do within His body, the church. It's my privilege to embrace the task He's given me and serve Him with it. But too often I fall into the trap of discontentment, just like Korah and his cohorts. Why does so-and-so get to do the job I wanted to do? Why can't I serve in a more visible role?

The truth is, the Lord gives every believer a vital role in the body. Each role is different. But when each member of the body performs his/her God-given role, the body functions as it should - without division. The Apostle Paul put it beautifully, "For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body," (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).

Instead of focusing on the roles of others, it's important for me to function in the role where God has placed me. Remembering that God placed me in the body (the church) where He wanted me to be, goes a long way toward keeping me content with the job He's given me to do. When I'm wholeheartedly concentrating on my role, I don't have time to desire the jobs of others. The focus is where it should be - on the Savior who allows me to serve Him!

Are you aware that God has a job for you to do? What steps will you take today to avoid discontentment?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me a job to do within the church. I realize we were not all created to be 'eyes,' or 'ears.' Help me to carry out the task You've given me, so I can bring honor to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

10 comments:

  1. This is a great lesson. I struggled with this earlier on in my career always thinking the jobs assigned to others were "more exciting", "more important" etc. It hurt my career rather than helped me needless to say. Spiritually it is even more important.

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  2. What a great reminder. I used to long for the "best" ministry positions. The ones where I would get the most credit. I had to learn the hard way that Jesus had a place for me in His kingdom, and although it may have "looked" meaningless, it was needed. I was needed right where I was.

    Now, I look at other people longing to be "important", and I get sad because they will never "get there" through "positions". They have to see that they are important right where God has placed them :) Thank you for writing this post :)

    Heaven

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  3. I teach my kids to enjoy where they are while they are there. Probably because contentment was a hard lesson for me as I grew up. Everyone struggles with the concept at some point.

    Thanks for the encouragement!

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  4. It's always easier to look over the fence - sometimes it seems more appealing, doesn't it? Thanks for this reminder, Maria!

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  5. Shopgirl - Great to see you! Thanks for sharing your experience and insight. Definitely a tough lesson, but it sounds like you learned a lot and were able to grow from the experience. Have a wonderful week. God bless!

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  6. Heaven - So glad you stopped by! Yes, it's important to realize that every position in the body of Christ is necessary. Our part is to do the job He's given us! Keep doing what He equipped you to do! Have a very blessed day. Hugs!

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  7. Marji - Good for you! Contentment is such an important lesson. I remember wishing my life away when I was younger - always wanting to get to the next big thing (driver's license, out of high school, out of college, married, children, etc.). Great application for church responsibilities as well: be content with what God has given you to do. Enjoy your day! God bless!

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  8. Karen - Thanks for stopping by! Very true statement...I guess what's truly amazing is that God gives each of His followers a job to do! Doesn't matter what it is, when we get busy, we're accomplishing kingdom work! How thrilling! Have a great week, full of His blessings!

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  9. Good post Maria, we all have a job to do and none of it is insignificant in the big picture. God knows whom to pick for certain things, we might not always understand His motives :) but in the end He is always right!

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  10. Marja - Great to see you! It's wonderful to know that, as Christians, we're all working together toward the same goal - to magnify Christ and point others to Him. Removes the need for competition between the brethren! Have a fantastic week filled with His blessings. Hugs!

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