Job for life

"... Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28. 19-20

Our marching orders from the Lord are not a means to reward or remuneration; rather they are his personal invitation to participate in his redeeming work, which is a privilege. Not that we can say no! Why would we want to decline such an opportunity? Indeed it would be fair to say that our response to God's call is an indicator of the quality of our faith.

To experience God's glory, to know his forgiveness, to receive the gifts of justification and sanctification, to appreciate our eternal inheritance in glory - is surely to be turned upside down and inside out. This demands a new outlook on life, a fresh appreciation of what matters and of our priorities.

One thing we all learn at Christmas is that, as we mature, the joy of giving is at least as pleasurable as that of receiving. So it is with spiritual growth, as we mature in our faith, so the desire to share that gift increases, as does our awareness of the gifts and opportunities which God sends to enable the process.

And we shall never stop learning... and growing... and wondering... until we take our place in God's Kingdom, the New Creation, the seeds of which we may already perceive around us.