In my last post, I talked about the importance of working smarter as opposed to harder. Now, as a follow up to that, let me speak directly to the Christian and say, “Christian, your efforts don’t just need to be smarter, they need to be ordered by, ordained by, and empowered by God the Holy Spirit.

Consider this extended quote from Ralph A. Herring, a Southern Baptist minister of a previous generation. In his book, God Being My Helper, he wrote:

The great majority of Christ’s followers today know the importance of service and have sensed something of the joys that may be found in it. Christians readily agree that serving is their one great business as it was their Lord’s, who came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Matt. 20:28). They are busy enough. Indeed, there is ceaseless, almost feverish activity of an undoubtedly well-meaning nature. A study of the announcements in almost any church bulletin reveals many such “activities” – multiplied almost to the breaking point of those who seriously take part in them. The urge to serve is seen in civic clubs and social organizations as well as in the church. But to the thoughtful observer something is wrong. “Where does it get us?” he asks, and, more thoughtfully yet, “Where does it get others?” The painful answer is that so much of what we call “service” proves ineffectual. The tree is full of leaves, but little fruit abides. Unhappily, a great portion of our activity falls under the classification of “dead works.” The truth is that the vitalizing touch of the Holy Spirit is missing from our busy life. In the realm of service he is our supreme helper, and our ministry as well as our devotional life must be energized by him.

With this extended quote in mind, Christian, let me ask you a simple question: Are all those “good” things you are doing ordered by, ordained by, and empowered by God the Holy Spirit? My guess is that you are doing some things He isn’t sanctioning and not doing some things He is sanctioning. And if that is indeed the case, then it goes without saying that you need to make the necessary changes.