Jesus and His job completed

As an author, I experience the thrill of feeling God's pleasure as I write. But I also go through dry times, difficulties. This week has been one of those lower times. I'm thankful for dear friends and a prayer team who encourage me through. I'm thankful for Jesus who speaks words of insight into the situation.

Today driving back home after dropping my daughter off at school, I thought about Jesus, how He must've felt leaving earth after His resurrection. He left a ragtag group of men and women, terribly clay footed, on the heels of many personal betrayals. Peter denied Him three times. His disciples scattered in fear. On the road to Emmaus, two didn't recognize Him.

I wonder, in the human part of Jesus, if He struggled not seeing His work completed or seemingly rewarded. That's my struggle today, of on the one hand knowing I'm doing God's work as a writer, but on the other hand not seeing tangible external results.

I remember Jesus sitting down at the right hand of the Father, having completed His work, and yet, His work in us is still ongoing. There's tension there, I think. Completed work, a feeling of accomplishment, yet a longing to see all work completed, all ends tied up.

Jesus said this: "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." John 17:4. Could it be that when I struggle and wonder if my words are making a difference that my focus is on earthly, tangible rewards? Could it be that I'm striving more for things that are seen rather than things that are not? Perhaps the work God has called us all to is a quiet, unrecognized one, one that costs us, one that will be rewarded by the God who sees in secret.

Jesus endured the cross for "the joy set before Him." I fear I've wanted the joy here. Now. Today. But He calls me to think of the joy then, in the Great Future. And that's why He could sit down when He accomplished His work on earth. He had One Master. He kept close to the Father, heard His voice, did His bidding, no matter how counterintuitive or countercultural it may have seemed. And even though His work seemed incomplete (meaning the disciples hadn't come into their own yet), He knew the entire plan and rested in that.

Since I don't know the entire plan, I will rest on the sovereignty of God. Or I'll try. I, by God's grace, will write for the joy set before me, enduring whatever trials come my way. I pray I can rest there. I pray you can, too.

Comments

[Lindy Abbott]

beautifully written and the insight is a lasting one that can be read for generations. yes, yes, our joy is not for this moment but for the everlasting. I love it - in the secret place - no world acclaim - be eternal reward. It is a rallying call for all writers to write for Him alone.

[Cynthia Schuerr]

There is a wonderful calmness in your words. And we will learn from His example.

[Sandi Elzinga]

Beautiful, Mary.
Oh, I need to remember this when I struggle with writing.

[Lynnda - Passionate for the Glory of God]

Mary, I self-published a nonfiction book,Changing Me, Change the World, last month. As I showed the finished book to my prayer partners, one of the group asked, "Aren't you proud and excited?"

My answer: "Yes, I'm happy to have the book published. But until I have someone say to me that God has used the book to change his life, I am only holding ink on paper."

Praise God, in less than a week, a misionary to India and Cambodia contacted me with just that story. His response caused me to become excited. I want others to be reached for the glory of God, but now I am satisfied.

My prayer for us both is that God might cause the ripples to spread through His work with our books.

Be blessed,

Lynnda

[Kim @ www.feathersfromournest.com]

You don't know how timely this is!!!! Thank YOU!!

[Mary DeMuth]

Thanks so much, Lindy, Cynthia, Sandi, Lynnda and Kim. I appreciate your kind words. Lynnda, getting that kind of email is life changing and affirming. Blessings!

[Caroline]

Hi Mary, that's a beautiful piece of writing....I want to read it again and again. There were so many things inside of me, but I just couldn't find the right words and expressions.

But your piece of work spoke it all..

I am grateful to the Master for you.

Thank you.

[Ginny Jaques]

Thanks, Mary. I needed that.

[Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts]

Thank you, Mary! For your transparency and for the blessing of your words.

[Graciewinterton]

Wow. Conviction. But thank you nonetheless.

[Dena Dyer]

Mary, thanks for sharing this. I have been at a discouraging place in my own writing journey, and needed to hear it. :)

[Sandra King]

Mary, this is so beautiful, so reflective. God has given you a wonderful gift. You keep your eyes on Him and keep pressing on until He closes that door--if He ever does. You may never know the lives you touch. Nor will any of us.

I've been frustrated with and mad at myself because I let so many years go by before returning to what I believe is my call. Disobedience? Neglect? Or God's timing--allowing me to grow depth through fires? I wonder if I've wasted all those years, but I suspect His timing rules. And now I feel pressure because I see so much less time ahead. But perhaps He will redeem it. I'll rest in His sovereignty with you!

[Mary DeMuth]

Sandra, nothing is ever wasted.

Thanks so much, all, for your heartfelt, amazing comments.

[Char]

you've managed to put into words the way i feel sometimes, when i look at my family, seeing that only one of my 2 daughters has come closer to God, only 4 of my 6 grandchildren have been beptised, only one of my sons in law has embraced God, and feel how incomplete the mission God set for me seems. then i pray again for all those who souls are in jeopardy, and again i feel God's call on my life.

[Char]

you've managed to put into words the way i feel sometimes, when i look at my family, seeing that only one of my 2 daughters has come closer to God, only 4 of my 6 grandchildren have been beptised, only one of my sons in law has embraced God, and feel how incomplete the mission God set for me seems. then i pray again for all those whose souls are in jeopardy, and again i feel God's call on my life.