“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 

Ever wondered if you were really living up to your role as the wife of someone in the fulltime ministry?
 
I have felt this way at various times during my years of being married to a missionary. I especially worried about this as our family grew, and I took a step back from a number of activities I had done previously to help out with church work.
 
While feeling unworthy in a particular role can be frustrating, if we look closely, the problem really runs deeper. I am stained with sin in every way, and ultimately, worthless when it comes to carrying out good deeds on my own.
 
That’s why, when I see the words from this passage, it is initially hard to think of myself as being God’s workmanship. On my own, I could never live up to God’s expectations. In the first verse of this chapter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”
 
That’s where our Lord’s amazing, profound love comes in. Paul goes on to say, in verses 4 and 5, “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”
 
Though we could do nothing on our own, God reached down to us, and through Jesus’ death and resurrection, saved us.
 
After calling us to faith, God lays out the good works he wants us to do. The final words of this passage offer immense comfort. They explain how these good works are not acts that we need to figure out on our own; rather, they are good works “which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
 
This phrase assures us of two things. First, we can be encouraged to know that while we live on Earth, God has a plan for us. He wants us to serve him with our gifts, and will put us in situations where we can do exactly that.
 
Second, these good works serve as our response to God’s rich mercy. They show our appreciation for Christ’s redeeming work and promise of heaven.
 
If you’re not sure what the best ways to serve God in your current role are, ask Him for guidance. Then, as you carry out acts of service at home and in the congregation, be confident that these works are pleasing to God through Christ.  
 
Ask the Lord

Dear Lord, Thank you for calling me to be your own, and laying out good works that you want me to do. Give me a thankful heart, and an attitude that is always ready to serve you in the way you see fit. Amen. 
 

By Rachel Hartman

Mexico