In 1876, it was an amazing accomplishment when Alexander Graham Bell spoke into his newly invented telephone, and his assistant in another room heard and understood it. But do you think he ever dreamed that with today’s smartphone we can text, play music or a game, take pictures, check email, surf the internet, or watch a movie? While Bell would be in awe of this marvelous device that we hold in our hands, we take it for granted and don’t think twice about how it’s impacting our lives.
Did you ever think that your actions and words, the simple things you do as you go through your daily routine, may be having an effect that reaches further than you ever imagined, even for eternity? When you overlook an offense, do you realize the effects it may have? What happens when you extend forgiveness to a loved one rather than hold a grudge? When you go to work with a good attitude even though your workplace is difficult, do you know the difference it will make in your children’s lives, your coworkers’ lives, or in your own life today? Might it have an extended effect for a week, or a year, or perhaps even a lifetime?
The apostle Paul says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). That tells me that God has already prepared a way for us to walk in His will. And how do we walk in it? By our good works. Paul is saying that when you gave your heart to Jesus, you received the spiritual DNA of Almighty God and became His new creation. That means you are predisposed, or newly created in Jesus, for good works. God is drawing you to do the good works He has already prepared for you to do—that is, His will. It might mean raising your children right and serving them with all your love. It means living with patient endurance, kindness, and longsuffering through the challenges. What we often fail to see is that while we’re faithfully doing our daily routine, we are doing the will of God for our lives.
The enemy doesn’t want you to see your good works as fulfilling the will of God. He doesn’t want you to see every good work as also working in you, changing you, and leading you to fulfill your destiny. We need to see these “good works” for what they are—they are pleasing and honorable in God’s sight, they bring Him joy, and they are shaping our lives by His handiwork. When you do the right thing today, you’ll have an effect that reaches further than you ever dreamed or imagined, and it could be for eternity!