Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Happy Heart
When I was a youngster attending Vacation Bible School in the summer I liked singing with my friends, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it…”
It’s been said that Christ followers are to watch and see where God is already at work and then join Him. I would suggest that He can also prompt you to do something new as a “solo” ministry. Either way, we shouldn’t hesitate or procrastinate to obey and work in the kingdom of God. You’re bound to find joy in the journey as God provides you with everything you need in order to accomplish what He’s calling you to do. “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 AMP). If you, as a believer, do not believe that to be true, you should probably hang up your apron and turn in your key.
Please, don’t argue with God like Moses did when God was trying to give him a most-important assignment. Moses even said, “Please, Lord, send someone else” (Exodus 4:13 CSB). Oh my stars, I don’t blame God for getting angry with Moses! This conversation was getting out-of-hand. When God calls the unqualified and inexperienced to do a job, He will qualify us with ways and means that far surpass anything we could ever do on our own. It’s kinda’ comparable to the movie scene when a New York City thug threatens Crocodile Dundee with a knife. Dundee grins and says, “That’s not a knife, (as he unsheathes his own and holds it up) THAT’S a knife!” In our own eyes, we think we’ve got great ideas, but what we need are God ideas. “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7 NLT).
We can be choosy about our peanut butter, but not the assignment/ministry that God calls us to do. It pleases Him when we wholeheartedly accept it and do it with a happy heart. We should say, “Here I am, Lord – sign me up!” We need to keep our eyes and ears open and listen with our heart to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NLT). Stay sensitive to the quiet, all-important leading of God. And don’t scrutinize how other believers are ministering and become envious or jealous. We should thank God that He is the Master Creator of variety. God needs all of us to aggressively obey and happily accomplish what He’s designed us to do.
Jesus prayerfully chose a unique bunch to be His twelve disciples. They were common men, but they became uncommon men in about three years. When Paul and Silas were preaching in Thessalonica, the Jews were jealous and declared them troublemakers. “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6 ESV). These two guys were simply obeying God’s call, but it brought out the worst in the Jewish authorities. The devil doesn’t like it when we say, “Yes” to God. But who cares! Mr. Lucifer is just going to have to get over it and learn to read upside down.
The Lord called to young Samuel four times. The young lad finally responded, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9 NLT). Let’s be like Samuel so that when God speaks we’ll listen and obey…and be happy! “Happy are the people whose strength is in You” (Psalm 84:5 CSB). God provides everything we need in order to do what He’s called us to do. And that should make us happy!
The Key: Believers who listen, obey, and minister to others will have a happy heart.