Recently in a prayer letter a regional Awana missionary asked us to pray for several churches suffering from the lack of leadership in their Awana programs. In his request he noted that these difficulties came because veteran leaders were dropping out with the excuse that they had put in their time and now it was time for younger folks to step up and take over. Then a few weeks ago we had a conversation with a couple who had also dropped out of not only their leadership roles, but also their participation for the same reason. Now sometimes there are some valid reasons to drop out, if that is the Lord's direction. Sometimes health keeps us from serving as we had done before. But there are still things one can do to serve. Sometimes, if we've mentored our replacements, it is good to allow others who are trained and ready to lead, with our full support. But we need to remember that there is never an end to the need to be about the Master's work here on earth. There are always ministry needs to be filled. Circumstances may change the way we can use our gifts, but the need for willing servants is great in today's culture. And we might at times get weary, yet the Lord has promised to renew our strength and give us the wisdom and courage we need to serve. Now I should clarify that it is not by works that we are saved, it is only by God's grace. But, in turn, we are called to work for Him. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." The problems of health and age did not deter the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, from using all of her gifts to work for the Lord. It is she who penned the words of this week's hymn. She challenged those who would sing this hymn to "follow the path that our Master has trod." And she reminded us to "labor till the Master comes." We are to herald the tidings "salvation is free!" as we exalt and share the love of our Father. And then she reminds us that when our work here on earth is ended, our home in eternity will be our reward. This weekend, in the United States, we are celebrating Labor Day. And while for most folks this federal holiday is just a time for celebrating the end of the summer, it was created to honor the American labor movement. And so I believe it is also an appropriate time for us to reevaluate our labor and work for the Lord. Indeed we are servants of God and let us "do with our might what our hands find to do" for the Lord. Be refreshed and encouraged to toil on for Him in the months ahead. 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord". What a blessed honor and responsibility we have to work for Him.
1. To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
2. To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, "Salvation is free!"
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
3. To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the love of our Father exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, "Salvation is free!"
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
4. To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, "Salvation is free!"
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.
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