After becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ in 1992, I have been blessed for Him to pour His grace and love into my new heart and through me to others. Writing for over twenty-five years, the flow has not stopped. At times my work was frustrating because I could not get an article or book finished before He gave something else. I have a backlog of projects; some are filed “on the back burner” some “in the oven;” others “chilling.”

It was a whirlwind at times trying to handle the flow of His grace. Not only in writing, but in other projects in the ministry of the church, for different members of my family and for others, I looked like a “workaholic.” I designed this tee shirt during that time of my life.

In the study, prayer time, research, writing, and publishing, He has taught me how to handle what He gives without expecting that I can share it all in my lifetime. At times, I have prayed that if I cannot handle something as important as He gives, that He would give another of His children the assignment, whether writing or ministry to an individual or family.

All this brings me to the subject of this post.

As I have learned of the Father’s sovereignty and how He directs His creatures in the work He calls them to do, He continues to teach me to wait on Him, to be at peace and know that each day is as He has planned. I cannot accomplish anything if I try to go ahead of Him. This brought to mind our Lord’s daily ministry, and just thinking of His manner of daily work gives me a sense of peace and joy.

The Father’s Business
He was born in the Father’s timing. By the age of twelve, He knew His purpose to “be about my Father’s business.” He did not need to hurry or worry.

In every situation and teaching, Jesus knew His reason for being where He was and the work He had to do. He knew the distance He had to travel, the timing, and the outcome for every day of His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension and His subsequent role at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest.

John 11 records the event of the death of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. Even after hearing that he was sick, He did not hurry to heal him. He could have done so with only His Word. He tarried with His disciples until after Lazarus had been buried four days.

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. John 11:15

He never stayed longer in one place than needed to accomplish His purpose for being there, whether to feed five or four thousand, heal an individual, or raise one from the dead. He was always in the right place at the right time according to the will of the Father.

Up until the night in Gethsemane and His arrest early the next morning, He perfectly carried out the plans for which He had been born into this world.

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Mark 14:41

 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

The sovereignty of our Father has planned our work for us and He will bring it to pass. We need not worry or hurry to be about our Father’s business.

Even as our Lord spent His time with the Father, we must know His will and follow our Lord Jesus Christ in proclaiming the kingdom and ministering in His name where He places us.

In considering what I have desired to accomplish, I have failed many times. The next statement sums up my thoughts on all I think I can do.

When all is said and done,
I will have done all I could have done
and He will have done all He would have done.

Gracious Father, for your plans for our salvation through your Son, we thank you. We bless your name and praise you for your Word that teaches us who we are in Christ and for your Spirit of truth and grace. Continue to lead us, be with us always, and work through us to teach others who you are, who we are, and why we are here. Complete the work you have begun in us in your timing. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran

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