Are You Doing Greater Things For God?

You’ve probably heard the quote by William Carey, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” Are Christians really doing “great things” though? Are we actually attempting massive undertakings and big kingdom efforts? It seems not. Many Christians are living the risk-free, safety-zone life, bunker-mentality life — refusing to reach out in courage and boldness do greater things. Why?

1. You’re afraid. Fear is a ruthless killer. It grabs our goals and drives them into the ground. It clutches our God-driven dreams, and chokes them to death. It kicks aside our attempts, and breathes fire on our efforts. Fear is our enemy. We read in 1 Timothy 1:7 that fear doesn’t fit on the top-ten list of Christian virtues. Fear does not come from God. When we refuse to attempt great things for God, we are often living in the very condition that we are supposed to be delivered from:  fear. We’re afraid of failure. Afraid of being embarrassed. Afraid of loss. Afraid of getting schooled. It’s time to restore our grip on the fearlessness that God gives us, and move ahead.
2. You’re lazy. Attempting big things sounds like hard work. Let’s face it. Many of us are averse to hard work. There is nothing that appeals to us less than the brain-taxing, body-pounding work of some huge undertaking. Laziness is selfishness, and there is no room for laziness in God’s servants. By God’s grace, cast off the laziness, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.
3. You’re too content with the status quo. Christian contentment is good, but contentment with mediocrity is just plain wrong. If you’re content with merely fulfilling what’s expected, and attempting nothing more, you’re wasting your life. God’s vision is far greater. Once you catch God’s vision (see Matthew 28:18-20) perhaps you will be motivated to dream bigger, work harder, take risks, and attempt great things for God. Your present status isn’t enough. There’s more.
4. You’re consumed with self. “Great things” usually involve some form of sacrifice. Maybe we’re simply too consumed with our materialism that we don’t attempt those great things. We have our comforts, and doing great things for God is going to cause an uncomfortable disruption. Or maybe it’s deeper than all of that. Perhaps you’re staring inward for the resolve and resources to do great things. If that’s the case, you’re sure to come up empty. Attempting great things for God, as Carey’s aphorism states, comes from expecting great things from God. You’re not the source of these great things. God is. He has limitless resources, unbridled power, and far more wisdom than you do. Rely on him, and attempt these great things in his name.

If these are the four enemies to doing greater things for God, your way ahead is obvious. Slay the enemies to progress, and move boldly ahead in God’s will. He has the resources. He has chosen you. The battle is on. Let’s march.

Inspired From Sharefaith Article