https://odb.org/2024/07/04/call-home
Our elder son currently lives in the UK. He has been working there for nearly two years after graduating in 2022. As a result, we don’t see him much. But he calls home often, in fact, nowadays, sometimes every few days, but at least once a week. Mainly, just to chat and tell us what is happening in his life. For example, he is now more settled in a certain church and will start to play piano for them. He cooks most of his meals and sometimes talks about his cooking techniques. Mostly, he talks about his work and the small online business he runs. I’m sure he calls not only to maintain a connection with us but also to make us proud of what he is doing. Every child wants the affirmation of his father and mother.
Likewise, we, as children of God, want God our Heavenly Father to affirm our faith and commitment to Him, in our character as a person and our service to Him. Ultimately, we want Jesus to say to us on that day when we meet Him in heaven – “Well done, good and faithful servant, welcome to the joy of your Master!”.
But actually, we need not wait till the very end after we have breathed our last and meet Jesus in heaven. We could from today onwards begin to call upon our Heavenly Father in prayer and talk to Him like any child to their father and mother. Tell Him the struggles we face and how we overcome them with His grace and strength. The issues we face at work. The obstacles we need to manage and sometimes evil plots we need to manoeuvre through. Everyone has their own goals, and we will always be a means to an end. Except for Jesus, our spouse and children, and our close brethren in Christ, few will genuinely want to help us do well unless it is in their best interests as well.
Talk to Him. Tell Him about our work, our friends and colleagues at work. Make Him proud of us for the spiritual work we are doing in our midst, amidst the pursuit of worldly interests of our workplace.
Paul taught us in Romans 8:12-15:
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those led by the Spirit are children of God, and we may call upon God as our Heavenly Father. Talk to Him and make Him proud of the things we do here on earth!
Ronnie's Thoughts 