By: Craig Rippy


God is in control. Yes, I have to remind myself of that fact often. When the schedule is filled, the meetings are far away, the work load increases, and the service maximizes I remind myself that God is in control.

Wee-ha, let the ride begin. When God is in control we should not fear anything. The schedule can get busy to the point of confusing, but if God is the one who increased the ministry He will also give you the grace to meet the challenge. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3 - NIV).

I believe there are Christians who never get too busy for God. They get busy in activities and the pursuit of other things, but never experience God working in their lives as He wants. God has given each of us grace to accomplish His will. Matter of fact, Paul tells the Ephesian Christians that each Christian is given assignments of service. Ephesians 2:10, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV).

I really think that the Christian must, let me re-emphasis, MUST be active in serving God or he/she is out of God's will. God gives the grace to accomplish the assignments He has prepared for each one of us to do. Serving Communion, teaching Sunday School, cleaning the Church Building, or participating in the Praise Team isn't the only assignment you have.

Life is the assignment. All of life. Every breath we take, every move we make is to be made in the will of God. Whether we are in good health or poor, whether we feel we are gifted, talented, or have the time we are on assignment for God. God knows the faith we have, the strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. He meets our faith with the grace necessary to accomplish our assignment.

Some, but very few, overload themselves. When they do they are out of God's will. What motivates that side of disobedience? It could be pride. Pride, or the desire to be accepted by others causes us not to say no to things that aren't within God's will for us. Another reason could be pride. Yes, pride again. The arrogance that steps beyond God's will to achieve for self glorification.

Pride is a frustrating attitude. To please others is difficult. To gain praise from others is also difficult. Yet, to release pride and ride the grace of God is refreshing.

How do we ride the grace of God? By dying to self and living for Christ. Self gets us into the problems we have. Let me put it this way, do you think Paul had a problem when he was stoned in Lystra and left for dead? Nope, Paul was within God's will. How do I prove it? Paul got up and waked back into the city. God was glorified by Paul's dedication to His service. God lead Paul to Lystra, gave him the message to preach, allowed him to be stoned, and raised him up to prove He is in control.

Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (NIV). The life we live is by faith in God's Son. We are to live life for Jesus, not for self, our children, or family members and friends. God's grace is sufficient to accomplish His will, even to overcoming our weaknesses to achieve it (2 Corinthians 12:8).

If God isn't in control you have lost your direction and could lose your soul. You are not riding God's grace to accomplish the mission He has assigned you. If you are not accomplishing the mission you are dead wood, ready to be pruned or uprooted (John 15:1-8). One is discipline to help you come to your senses. The other is condemnation.

My suggestion: Ride the wave of God's Grace