Encouragement for Today

April 26, 2024 Your Only Work RACHAEL GROLL Lee en español

“They replied, ‘We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?’ Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’” John 6:28-29 (NLT)

There are moments in my week when I question if I’m truly doing what God wants me to do.

Am I serving Him the way He wants me to?
Am I being the wife, mom or friend He wants me to be?
Am I understanding my Bible correctly?

It may seem like I’m on the path He has for me, but how do I know that? So often, I struggle with wondering if I’m missing the mark, doing enough or even doing too much. How can I do big things for Him and serve Him the way He wants me to?

People long ago had the same question for Jesus, and His response to them makes all the difference for me when I start down that path. In John 6, the crowds had just watched Him miraculously feed 5,000 people with only a few loaves and fish. After getting an up-close look at these works of God, the people desired to be used by God themselves.

“They replied, ‘We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?’ Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent’” (John 6:28-29).

Even though these people had a heart for “works,” He first called them to something else entirely. He said that their “only work” was to believe in Him. Let’s unpack that a bit.

The Greek word that is used for “work” in John 6:28-29 is ergon, which means “labor, effort, doing.” The word that is used for “believe” is pisteuo, which means “to give yourself up, to surrender.”

Friend, do you see what that means? The only thing Jesus calls us to do, to work at, to put effort into, is surrender to Him. If we are doing that, then we don’t have to worry so much about all the other things we are doing … or not doing. If our hearts are postured toward Him, surrendered in a way where we obey whatever it is that He tells us, then everything else becomes a little less important.

We can have peace and rest in the knowledge that God will work it all out. He is the One who will work through us, in whatever way He sees fit, as long as we are surrendered to Him. I pray we remember that when life starts to get in the way.

Lord, in the moments when I feel overwhelmed, help me to remember that my only job is to surrender to You. When the pressures and challenges of the world feel like too much to bear, please help me to hand them over to You. Thank You for loving me and reminding me of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Today’s devotion writer, Rachael Groll, loves to help women hear Jesus so they can know Him and make Him known. Head to Rachael’s website to check out her resources, including her six-week Bible study, She Hears: Learning to Listen to Jesus.

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Rachael Groll is an author, a missionary, and the host of the Hearing Jesus podcast and the Hearing Jesus for Kids podcast. You can listen to the Hearing Jesus podcast on your favorite podcast app or learn more at SheHears.org.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 6:11, “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted” (NLT).

Do you ever find yourself wondering if you are doing enough for God? Take some time in prayer today just to be in God’s presence and surrender to Him.

Consider responding to God’s heart for the nations as a way to help someone else learn about His incredible love for them. You can learn about ways to do this at Compassion.com.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments today!

© 2024 by Rachael Groll. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Compassion for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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