Privileged to Be Useful
Gary Henry
There is no more disturbing thought than when we suspect our life’s activities are a waste of time. Each of us needs to know that our work makes some kind of worthy contribution, an investment that will last beyond the present moment. Solomon asked the question we all want an answer to: “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” (Eccl. 1:3). If we’re to have any sense of personal fulfillment, we must be confident that we’re making a worthwhile contribution while we live.
Unfortunately, this present world is of a “temporal” nature, and there is nothing here that will last. If our work pertains to nothing more than this world, then our work is relatively unimportant. It’s not totally unimportant, since it does matter for the moment. But compared to eternity, the work of this world is relatively insignificant. Solomon’s honest observation about life “under the sun” is sobering: “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Eccl. 1:14). Reluctant as we are to admit it, there is nothing in this life, not even all of it put together, that has any lasting importance."
When our work consists of the Lord’s work, however, that labor is “not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58). Work done “in the Lord” is of eternal value, and when our perspective includes God, even our “ordinary” daily efforts take on a brisk new meaning. To the extent that we do everything heartily, “as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23), we can know that our actions count for something permanently good.
Our purpose in life is to do those things through which God can show His goodness. That’s why we were created. That’s the calling that gives meaning to life, and it’s summed up by Solomon: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Eccl. 12:13). True, the enjoyment of fellowship with God is the highest joy we can experience. But God did not create us merely that we might enjoy Him. He created us as vessels, personal agents in His own image, through whom He planned to radiate the majesty of His goodness. Fulfilling this high purpose ought to be the greatest glory we can imagine.
Our hope ought not simply to be to go to heaven, but also to be as useful as we can be to God’s work for as long as it pleases Him to use us. This was Paul’s thought when he wrote to the Philippians that he longed to depart and be with Christ, but “to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith” (Phil. 1:24,25). He well expressed the meaning of life and the purpose of Christianity in Eph. 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” To be created by God is to be a vessel. And Mary spoke as a vessel willing to be used when she replied to the angel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38).
The challenge in life is to maintain our fitness for God, faithfully keeping the noble stewardship that has been entrusted to us. We are to “cleanse” ourselves of anything that would hinder our usefulness to God (2 Tim. 2:21). We are to pursue “holiness” (Hb. 12:14). And we are to be “diligent” so as not to be ashamed when God examines our workmanship (2 Tim. 2:15). We can’t truly hope for heaven hereaſter without preparing ourselves for God’s use in the here and now.
If we are to fulfill the purpose of our creation, a conscious choice on our part is required. The Lord’s work is not something we find ourselves doing accidentally or haphazardly. Out of all the possible things we might do in the world, we must choose “that good part” (Lk. 10:42) which will not be taken away from us.
The privilege of usefulness to God is a truly thrilling thought. That we can participate in the most important work in the universe is an honor we don’t deserve, to put it mildly. Nevertheless, in Christ, as vessels “for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21), we can be partners in God’s work of reconciling the world to Himself. As we allow ourselves to be purified and prepared in Christ, we can be the very thing we were created to be: vessels through whom God can work His goodness. And this is exactly what discipleship to Jesus consists of. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (Jn. 15:8).
