As I say this phrase, burned within me is the song “Raging Beauty” by Joann Mcfatter. A line in the song says “Whatcha-gonna-do with a God like this?”
This poses an interesting question. I’m sure we all have our answers ready. Some of those answers might be from a biblical or historical perspective; while other people may struggle to even form an answer. Ultimately we will all bow down before Him, and those with crowns; will cast them at His feet. There will be no doubt about the answer then. When He appears. Just as there will be no doubt about the worship that takes place in Heaven. We won’t see, hear, or even feel this way ourselves:
“I don’t feel like bowing down again.” Or “Do we really have to do this again?”
We will have abandoned the free will (that we still have) and will have relinquished it all to Him. All for His honor; and for His glory. For Him to do with as He pleases.
This causes a question to rise up in me. Since there is no doubt about what we will be doing in Heaven, and that we will be completely directed and submitted to His will there; when does the “whatcha-gonna-do” question come into play?
In Heaven/someday or on earth/now?
When do we have the “choice” to do great; or ANY exploits for Him?
In Heaven the choice is easy and automatic; unless we like satan decide to exalt ourselves. Which is interesting because satan was in Heaven (where God is) and satan still made a choice on his own terms {out of his free will?}. But, I don’t want to become ultra focused on that right now, because I don’t care about satan’s choices (he has already made them) I am only focused on our choices.
More specifically our choices NOW; and here on the earth. Let’s look at it a different way. Which choice(s) do you think God takes more interest in:
the someday in Heaven or…..
the here and now on the earth?
Does The Commander; the Lord of Hosts have more concern about what happens on the field of battle (here on earth) or what happens when we enter into our eternal reward (in Heaven)?
Even an army commander in a natural army is totally focused on what is taking place on the field of battle and seemingly unconcerned with what happens at home.
Jesus said that “He goes to prepare a place for us”. He’s got Heaven (home) covered. So where does our “whatcha-gonna-do” come into play?
In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 we see Jesus telling about Himself and the Father. We see that He endows different measures of talents to His servants then leaves on a journey. When the Master returns He finds that 2 of the 3 servants have doubled what He has left them in charge of, and is well pleased. But, we see the Master is angry with the one servant who had no doubling or increase at all. (note: the wicked servant ONLY returns what was left by the Master; to the Master unchanged) The Master then says this statement as a learning tool to all that can hear:
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those WHO DO NOTHING, even what little they have will be taken away.”
Matthew 25:29 New Living Translation
So we see that those focused on the carnal mindset of money are suddenly hit with a deeper dose of reality. Because the Master focuses in on those that do nothing with the gifts He has given them (they thought up until then; that it was only about money).
Yes, you have gifts (talents) because God has given them to you, but where’s the increase?
The original is His and the increase is His, but without the increase the reward will not be yours.
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry our their dream.” –Les Brown
But, whatcha-gonna-do? Well let’s see what 4 leprous outcasts did:
“There were four men sick with leprosy near the city gate. They said to each other, “Why are we sitting here waiting to die? There is no food in Samaria. If we go into the city, we will die there. If we stay here, we will also die. SO LET’S GO to the Aramean camp. If they let us live, we will live. If they kill us, we will JUST die.” So that evening the four lepers went to the Aramean camp. When they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army.” — 2 Kings 7:3-6a Easy Read Version
So because of these 4 terminally sick outcasts, willingness to move we see in the rest of the chapter the following; because of their ACTIONS:
the siege was over,
the enemy was routed,
the famine was over,
a great victory was won,
great riches were brought into the kingdom,
an abundance of resources were released,
and lament was turned into joy!
The whole kingdom was affected by 4 seemingly talent-less (because if they had any talents I’m sure they felt that they had already been robbed of them) outcasts.
All because they were not willing to merely sit there & do nothing until they died!
So, what-are-we-gonna-do?
I know we are Spirit led people and we most definitely should be led by Holy Spirit; but, we should not be immobilized and waiting until we die, either.
In neither case example do we see the defense for inaction, or the support for action being a “word from God” or “no word from God”. In both cases it was the individuals responsibility to DO SOMETHING! with what they had been given.
Even in the case of the lepers; they couldn’t do much, they didn’t have any resources, no authority, or any power, but they COULD get up and walk towards a purpose and towards a goal! Why should any of us just “sit here till we die” immobilized by fear and doubt?
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 New American Standard Bible
So step up and step out into what has been placed inside of you. Let it grow! If the seeds are kept in the package the plant will NEVER come forth! Get into the right soil, water the soil with His word, let the tender plant be cultivated by the storms and trials….. DO SOMETHING!
Then you can and will reap a bountiful harvest in due time. Because, His time for INCREASE is due!
So….. My question, or rather His question is: Whatcha-gonna-do?
November 26th, 2016 by Eric