Nougat 10

What would happen if we were to face a spiritual performance appraisal? Hmmm Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every year, at around this time, we have to submit our annual reports. The reports invite us to take stock of our achievement in relation to the strategic objectives of the past year. Strangely enough, each time I embark on preparing the report I am overwhelmed by a sense of under-performance. In several instances, it is unjustified. Because, my feelings about what was accomplished doesn’t always reflect the reality on the ground.

Once, I stated that I had not met a set of clearly defined outcomes. I was crushed. My explanation indicated how poorly I knew I’d performed. And, though it was partly out of my control, I took credit for the failure.

But

There was someone … an intermediary who ALWAYS proofs my report before final submission. The intermediary gave grace. I was asked to quantify what was done and how. To my surprise – I had met the target. Just barely but I made it. I had had to dig one report further and it was there. To be honest, it felt as if God’s Spirit blew upon the report to plump it up, but I wasn’t even the one who submitted the reports I had needed! Perhaps why I’d forgotten about them.

Furthermore, when the intermediary instructed me to justify another statement, it became clear that in my ‘fear’, I had misfiled information (ie I typed in the wrong place), so there was no need for justification. It was clear that I had met the goals as well as the target outcomes!

As believers, we also have goals and target outcomes we need to deliver for our Lord and Savior. Whether we choose to acknowledge them or not, they are there; it’s what we refer to as our ministry or calling. Sometimes, we are lackluster in our work, and the output is dismal. There are also some times when the circumstances are beyond our control. Unfortunately, we have a common enemy, the ‘Accuser of the brethren’, whose sole purpose is to prove us unproductive and damn us to a sense of failure.

BUT

We have an Intermediary. And He knows what we have been tasked with. He keeps our records current! He knows for sure whether we have completed the tasks set before us. He is our righteous judge. And He is The One Whom we need to please.

So as we reflect, we must strive to determine what our goals are, and consider whether we have made His targets. And if we have been delinquent, let’s not wallow in shame, but confess to our Intermediary, asking for grace to do better. For those of us who are meeting God’s goals, may we help others who are needing support.

Hasten now – we work earnestly and diligently – while it’s day, for truly we will have to give an accounting. May we be found faithful by Jesus.

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May all we seek be found in Christ