“The other day,” Stan commented, “I was again drawn to the story of what happened on the Road to Damascus.”
“You mean when Jesus appeared to the man named Saul who later became known as the apostle Paul?”
“That’s the one,” Stan answered. “Let’s do a quick summary. Saul didn’t care much for Christians and he was on his way to Damascus to get rid of them.”
“And Jesus interrupted his journey,” I added.
“Big time,” Stan replied. “Not only was his journey interrupted, but his eternal destination and his life on this side of eternity were dramatically altered forever.”
“And,” he continued, “it seems to me, that what Saul asked Jesus is the same thing I’m supposed to ask on a regular basis.”
“What same thing?”
“What shall I do?” Stan replied.
“What do you mean?”
“That’s what Saul said to Jesus on the Road to Damascus after Jesus got his attention,” Stan replied. “That’s what I’m supposed to ask Him on a regular basis.”
“As contrasted to what?”
“Telling Him what I want to do on my own,” Stan replied.
“Asking rather than telling,” I said. “Ask God what He has for me to do, rather than telling Him what I’m willing to do for Him. Is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan responded. “The only exception I can see to that is if I tell God I’m willing to do whatever He has for me to do for Him and His kingdom!”
“Tell Him that,” I said, “and then ask what He has for me to do.”
“You got it, my friend,” Stan replied with a smile.
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Bible verses to consider:
And I said, “What shall I do, Lord?” Acts 22:10.
But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you. Acts 26:16.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus as the way to you for both sides of eternity: for when my time here is completed, and for the time while you keep me here. I confess that too often I don’t ask what you have for me to do for you and your kingdom, but I tell you what I want to do. Please forgive the foolishness of that whenever what I want to do differs from what you have for me to do. Please help me to always ask, as the apostle Paul did, “What shall I do, Lord?” Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him? If no, why? Why would you want to spend eternity separated from God? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, do you ask God regularly “What shall I do?” Or do you tend to tell God what you want to do on your own terms? If you sense the need for change in being open to whatever God has for you to do for Him and His kingdom, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 