Holy Week is a beautiful time of year. Just the name itself is inviting and inspiring, and one that I treasure. How was your Holy Week? Did you spend the week celebrating the resurrection? I find Holy Week to be a beautiful time for reflection and remembrance. Beautiful because Jesus offers us eternal life. We were created in His image to do good works.
Why YOU Matter to God?
Yes, YOU matter to God. You matter in all things. Why do you matter? Because God’s word tells us so.
Throughout the Bible you’ll find references where God shares His plans for us. I’ve shared a few of my favorite scriptures in this post in hopes you will be encouraged by God’s word and His promises. Promises for a future and eternal life.
The Hope of Eternal Life. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NLT)
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”
You matter because God says you matter. Ephesians 1: 3-6 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
You were saved to do good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We each have a unique purpose, a calling on our life. Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
We are called to Serve
We, as believers in Christ, each have a calling unique to us. Your calling may look different from my calling. The size of your calling may be smaller or larger than your neighbors. God has plans for each of us to do good works as evidence of our salvation. We must remember we are not saved by good works but for good works.
The Holy Spirit has given you spiritual gifts to equip you for your calling whatever and wherever that may be. In the book of Ephesians, 3:11-12, Paul prays to Christ Jesus that He may grant us the strength to step out in confidence and share the good news.
How do we carry out our calling and our purpose to share the good news? Let’s take a look at Egeria and Lydia, two women who stepped boldly into their calling to serve Jesus.
Egeria
Are you familiar with Egeria? She was a nun who traveled to the Holy Land in the 4th century and journaled her experiences. Her journal entries might have seemed insignificant to some, but Egeria’s written words share the gospel and Christ’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Egeria documented her journey, which also included a magnificent scene in Jerusalem where the people celebrated Jesus Christ.
“…as the eleventh hour approaches, the passage from the Gospel is read, where the children, carrying branches and palms, met the Lord, saying; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, and the bishop immediately rises, and all the people with him, and they all go on foot from the top of the Mount of Olives, all the people going before him with hymns and antiphons, answering one to another: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. And all the children in the neighbourhood, even those who are too young to walk, are carried by their parents on their shoulders, all of them bearing branches, some of palms and some of olives, and thus the bishop is escorted in the same manner as the Lord was of old.”
Egeria journaled her travels for three years to share the richness of her experiences with her sisters. Simple, yes? I wonder if Egeria had any idea the impact her daily journal entries would make over time. Egeria was a woman who used her gift of writing to share with others, and through her writings, she has influenced people around the world for centuries.
Lydia
Lydia is described as an astute businesswoman who sold purple cloth, which was very expensive material mostly reserved for royalty. Lydia became Paul’s first convert in Europe. She was baptized along with her family members and household. Lydia’s influence went beyond her business skills. Lydia had a heart for God. It is written, on the Sabbath, God opened her heart, and she was baptized.
Lydia was also known for her hospitality. She welcomed missionaries into her home. Two notable guests were Paul and Silas. Lydia welcomed the two apostles into her home without hesitation upon their release from prison. This act of kindness shows the devotion Lydia had for Christ and the followers of Christ. We are also called to practice hospitality to those around us as stated in Matthew 25:35-36, (NIV),
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Lydia’s desire to follow Christ influenced her household, and through her gift for business, Lydia served others by opening her home to guests and providing for them. Lydia chose to follow Christ’s leading. Due to her obedience and desire to serve God, she confidently stepped into her calling serving as a role model by using her gifts to help others and share the good news.
Serve others well. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
It is my prayer you will take time for reflection and ask God where you can be of service to others. And, when you ask God to show you where to serve, take time to listen. Be still and be present. His call may be as simple as sharing food or donating clothes to someone who’s lost their home. Perhaps your calling today will be different from your calling next week. This week you will help your neighbor, and next week you will be called to share your testimony with a friend.
You see, our calling is going to look different and feel different daily. Today, I am sharing His word with you. Last week, I ministered to a young woman in need of guidance and prayer. I’m not sure what this week will bring, but I know I am ready to answer the call. Our role is to simply step out in obedience.
Today, let’s celebrate His resurrection and honor Christ. We are each gifted with the power and strength through the Holy Spirit to carry out our Father’s will just as Egeria and Lydia, two women with a heart for God. Are you ready to answer the call? What are you waiting for?
Image Credit by Parinaz Wadia Illustration & Design
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