Yesterday, we thought about how God’s hand over our lives gives us the freedom to work as much good for others as we can. Today, we’re thinking about how to stay focused on that good work when it gets hard. It can be difficult, day to day, to remain motivated to carry out His will, but we have to remember that He chose us specifically for the work that He calls us to. The Message version of today’s Bible verse goes on to say, ‘long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.’ (Ephesians 1:11-12). The knowledge that He chose us first helps to shape our identity in Him. We find out who we are because He slots us into His big-picture plan, and our lives start to slowly piece together as we take each next step. The good work that He has planned out for us, from the little kind deeds to the big acts of life-changing work, were written for us before we ever knew Him. Paul had that big plan in mind when he wrote: ‘Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV). Sometimes, that is the motivation that we need - a reminder that even when it’s tough, or monotonous, every bit of the work that God asks us to do is for a purpose He’s had planned for eternity. It is all going to matter.

What Now?

What task have you been putting off doing? Schedule a time to get it done - put it in your calendar and stick to it, especially if it’s something for someone else!