Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Human Participation in God's Work
‘In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabita (in Greek her name is Dorcas);
she was always doing good and helping the poor.’ V.36 (NIV 1973)
The true
understanding of work of human as participation in God's creation is present in
the great monotheistic religions of the world. However, in Christianity it is
strikingly illustrated by the life of Christ. Human work is thus
understood as man's cooperation in completing the act of God’s work, which is
the creation, as an act of submission to His Will, and as a lively expression
of the petition ‘give us this day our daily bread.’
Human were not
only created by God, but they were also created in his image (Gen. 1:27).
However, unlike the other creatures, God gave a special commission to men and
women. “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion
over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that
move on the earth....See I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth
and every tree that has seen bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the
animals of the land, all the birds of the air and all the living creatures that
crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” (Gen 1:28-31)
God entrusted to
human beings His whole creation, and it became the responsibility of men and
women, by their activities and work to build upon what God had begun by His
creation. Our work today is a continuation of what began by God. God has
created, he has entrusted to us that creation, and by our work, we either build
up his creation, or we subvert it by our greed, laziness or exploitation.
The faithful
believers must learn the deepest meaning and the value of all of God’s work,
especially the creation, and its orientation to the glory of God. Even by our
secular activity we must assist one another to live holier lives as God lived a
life of full holiness. In this way the world will be permeated by the spirit of
Christ and more effectively achieve its purpose in justice, charity and
peace.
Peter has done by
participating in God’s work by making Tabitha alive after she is dead. He
perfected God’s creation by making her a witness to the rest of the people to
do good works and lend a helping hand to the poor. God’s participation is to
make the world a just one where all can live with dignity and respect. The act
of Peter made so many to believe in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Let our
participation in God’s work may bring others to His presence and salvation.
Prayer: Lord grand us the ability and desire to
participate in your work and fulfill your ministry in this world. Amen.
Thought for the
day: Creation is expected
to perfect the work of the Creator.
Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas