It has a single purpose. The dike holds back water that would destroy people.
Daily, a young boy walks on the path that runs alongside the dike. His familiarity with the water barrier almost makes it invisible—but not today. He spots a small hole with water streaming from it.
He understands the purpose of the dike and the consequences if it fails to the townspeople living in the low land. With no thought of self, he steps up to the barrier, puts his finger into the break, and stops the flow of water.
This young boy has a single purpose—to hold back water that would destroy people. All night he stands and shivers from the cold with his finger plugging the break. At dawn, a group of men see him holding back the water, and the break is repaired. The townspeople are saved.
Step Out for Christ
One young boy made a difference—he did the job he was called to do and saved many from destruction.
The story about this young hero, penned in the late 1800’s, delighted young readers. Let’s look at this tale, not with the eyes of a child, but from a Christian perspective.
The dike is like the church—the body of Christ—whose purpose is to hold back evil from destroying people. The young boy, a member of the body of Christ, steps forward to do the job God calls him to do. He didn’t fear for his life but for the life of others.
It’s no coincidence the young boy walked this path daily and noticed the break. It’s no surprise the boy is equipped and strengthened to do the job and helped by the church. It’s all part of God’s plan.
Aren’t we part of something greater as a believer in Christ? Don’t we have a job God has assigned for us to do? Is there any doubt we’re equipped and positioned to do what God is asking?
What Does the Word Say?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).
Paul reminded the faithful believers in Ephesus that they are part of a living body of Christ on earth—a church—and are not confined in a building with four walls. He challenged them to function as a uniquely created part of this body and live by Christ’s standards (Ephesians 5:1-2).
How comforting to know we’re part of a global family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, we stand, holding up Christ’s standards to keep evil from destroying souls in this world (Matthew 16:18).
How humbling to know we’re God’s masterpiece. Each of us are unique in appearance, personality and given natural and spiritual gifts that equip us to do the work God has prepared for us (Ephesians 4:11-13).
How reassuring to know that God uses all that has happened in our life to prepare us to carry out the work He has for us (Romans 8:28). The experience of trials endured by us—due to our own disobedience or consequences of living in a fallen world—have prepared us like no other (James 1:2-4).
How full of peace to know God has placed us right where He wants us. God has placed us right where He wants us—in that family, workplace or neighborhood. It was not by chance that Rahab lived in the city of Jericho (Joshua 2:1).
How grateful to know the Holy Spirit leads, strengthens and enables us to see the “break in the dike where water is spilling out” so we can do the job God has prepared for us (John 14:26).
What Does Application Look Like?
When sisters in Christ step up to stand with the church and place a finger into the break to do the work God prepared for them—it looks like this:
A woman listens with deep empathy to another woman unburdening her heart of the hurt and pain of abuse. Does listening to another’s pain sometimes rip at the scabs covering her own wounds inflicted by abuse? Yes, but she is not serving herself but another because God has this job for her.
It happens in her daily interactions. A conversation with a neighbor or simply checking out her groceries in a food store—she responds to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to speak the name of Jesus. God’s faithfulness grown by years of caring for a loved spouse afflicted with a devastating long-term illness built a deep well of love for Jesus that can’t be contained in her heart. She isn’t silent and her joy reflects Jesus.
A woman follows the call of the Holy Spirit to take neighborhood walking companions and bring them together for another purpose—lead them to a personal relationship with Jesus.
A woman with no children of her own—follows God’s call to volunteer her time to a children’s ministry. Maybe it’s because she was led to Jesus as an adult and not a child? God can answer that.
A woman tirelessly prays for the salvation of family members. She commits to reflect the love of Jesus in her words and actions at family gatherings, with co-workers and listens for Spirit’s leading to reach others.
These women answered God’s call to do the work He prepared for them.
Look Up and Pray
We can’t rely on self to do God’s work. We need to pray for help.
Father, thank You for creating us as unique masterpieces. Thank You for giving us Jesus so we’re brought together as a family—the church. Thank You for preparing work for us to do.
Sometimes we see ourselves as a pile of broken pieces and not a masterpiece. The father of lies tells us we’re worthless and reminds us of who we were before placing our faith in Jesus.
But the Holy Spirit reminds us we’re a new creature in Christ and equipped to do what God’s asked us to do.
Help us hear Spirit’s voice leading us to the work God prepared for us.
Help us see with Spirit’s eyes opportunities to do God’s work.
Help us be humble. We can’t do God’s work in our own power—we need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Help our lives reflect we’re part of a body of believers and love them as God loves us.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
A Message for My Sisters
When I’d hear stories of sisters in Christ enduring persecution beyond anyone’s imaginings, it impacted me deeply.
I realize now what impacted me was their obedience. The work God prepared for them was unique for each woman—but their response was the same—they stepped out in obedience.
Each woman in What Does Application Look Like? were obedient to God’s call to do His work. And that’s what pleases Him.
I pray, that each of us will stand before Jesus and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 ESV), because we’ve completed our work for Him.
Your Sister in Christ,
Nancy