The Details of Life

2 Corinthians 6

　
　
Do you have missionaries visit your church to share what God is doing through their ministry? That’s basically what Paul is sharing here. "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way". From this point forward he shares about his hardships in ministry, not to complain, but to validate his ministry and to give God the glory. Can you imagine what it would be like to sit in the congregation and listen to him?

But here’s the thing. We find it hard to relate to Paul. We could sit and listen to him and be amazed, but we’d walk away feeling like that’s good for Paul but not for me. So let’s consider someone else’s testimony - what about Jacob?

Jacob is someone we can relate to. He has lots of character defects. In fact, his name means deception. His testimony might sound like this: "My struggles with my twin brother Esau began in the womb. When I was forty I lied to our father to steal the family blessing. Later in life, after getting married, I worked for my father-in-law and stole the strong flocks leaving him with the weak ones. Yet God has used me in his plan of redemption."

If Jacob’s story doesn’t strike a chord for you how about Peter? "I followed Jesus passionately. I knew that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, and even deserted the family fishing business to follow him. I was there for Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus often asked for my opinion and even when he didn’t I would give it to him. I didn’t always say or do the right thing, but at least I said and did something. Then following his arrest I denied him. I was so ashamed. Thankfully, he still loved me and forgave me and wanted me to lead his sheep".

God used Jacob, Peter and Paul despite their sinfulness. He also uses you and me. He has called us to ministry, to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others. In doing this, Paul suffered greatly. Most likely, you haven’t had to experience anything like Paul did, but we are still called to give everything we have to the Living God.

In sports, coaches challenge their players to leave it all out on the field or court, to give 110%. Paul left it all out on the field. Verse 4 in The Message reads like this, "Our work as God’s servants gets validated -or not- in the details". It’s in the details of our life that God uses us in the lives of others. Let God validate your ministry in the details of your life?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.6