Have you ever wanted to accomplish something really important for the faith? I’ve wondered about what I do. Is it important? Is it enough? I’ve never put my life on the line by traveling to a dangerous place as a missionary. I’ve never missed a meal because I gave all I had to the needy.

Watch the daily news. I do so little against what is needed. I’ll never be able to do enough to stem the tide of hurt and hunger in the world.

I do what I can and what I do is called ‘good works.’

The Bible talks about good works.

Philippians 2:13 tells me, it is God who works in me, giving me the desire and the power to please Him. He gives me the will to accomplish His work, and He gives me the power to do it.

The Bible compares the good works we do with trees producing fruit. We’ve seen robust trees full of juicy ripe apples, and we’ve also seen sickly trees. They produce fruit, but it is tasteless and insect infested. Matthew 7:17 says a good tree produces good fruit but a diseased tree produces bad fruit. The good works (fruit) produced, is a sign of spiritual health—our heart condition.

John 15:5 tells me that those who abide in Christ (live in, have a strong relationship with Christ) produce good fruit. Apart from Him, we are useless. If we aren’t abiding in Him, any fruit we produce may look good to others, but it will be of little value in His kingdom.

That still leaves me wondering whether I’m doing enough. Are my small acts of service and charity making a difference? 1 Cor. 12:6 tells me there are different activities—all valuable to the body of Christ—and the same God empowers each of them. Ephesians 4:4-6 tells of the many different gifts, all given by the same Spirit. One God, one Spirit over all.

The next question is, “How do I choose where to work?”

Ephesians 2:10 tells me I was created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared in advance for me to do.
God gives me the desire to please Him. He gives me the power to do it. And He has already created personalized works for me to do.

I did not find a promise that the job will be easy, but I found a precious promise. Jesus wants to walk with me. He calls the tired, weary, and burdened to walk with Him and work in His strength. (Matthew 11:28-29)

So, to the best of my knowledge, I am to:

• Maintain a relationship with Christ.
  
• Obey God’s call, go where He leads me—after prayer to discern His call.
  
• Do what God puts in front of me.
  
• Rely on His power and enabling to accomplish His work.
  
• Relax and rest in Jesus’ strength.