That’s Not My Job

Have you ever gone into an establishment, maybe a grocery store or department store asked for assistance only to have someone reply that’s not my job? What was your reaction? Did you ask if the person could point you in the direction of someone that could assist you? Perhaps you became angry. Maybe you left the establishment.

There are people that are assigned certain tasks or jobs that only want to perform the tasks or jobs they have been assigned, are trained on and equipped to perform.

Then there are people that are trying to do tasks that have not been assigned to them. They have not been trained nor are they able to perform the tasks.

Many people try to perform the tasks or the job of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to be our comforter, our teacher, our guide, our protector.

How many times have you tried to perform the tasks of the Holy Spirit? How many times have you tried to carry burdens that you could not bear? How many times have you tried to fix a circumstance or situation only to end up with less than desirable results?

The Word of God is very specific when it comes to what we are and are not capable of handling. We read in Ephesians 6:12 for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This scripture has a twofold meaning. 1.) Don’t wrestle with your own flesh. Your flesh is enmity against your spirit. The two don’t and won’t agree. Your flesh will lead you to do one thing while your spirit may tell you to do something completely different. 2.) You should not wrestle or fight physically or verbally with others. The battle is not physical it is spiritual.

Oftentimes our desire for change within our own lives or in the lives of others will put us in a place where we become engaged in situations over which we have no control. Try as we may without the Holy Spirit we cannot change anything as we read in John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing, and we certainly can’t change anyone.

Several years ago I was in a no win situation. I couldn’t fix what I wanted changed. I talked until I didn’t know what else to say. I cried until not another tear would fall and I prayed until I couldn’t think of anything else to pray. My final prayer was God I can’t do this anymore. I give it to you. I gave it to God and didn’t take it back. In His time and in His way He fixed it.

Many of us are trying to do a job that we have not been trained nor are we capable of performing. The next time the enemy interjects thoughts into your mind of a situation that you know you can neither control, change or should even get involved in remind yourself as well as the enemy that’s not my job! Give whatever it is to God and allow Him to take care of it.

 

Who’s In Your Corner?

I have viewed a few boxing matches on television and wondered about the roles of the people in the fighters corner which led me to do a little research.

There are usually four people in a fighter’s entourage which include a manager, a trainer, a cut man and a corner man who enter the fighter’s corner during the one minute intervals between rounds.

The manager is responsible for the direction of the fighter’s career. The trainer works with the fighter on a day to day basis. He is responsible for developing the fighter’s technique, physical conditioning and tactics. He provides motivation and tactical advice as the fight progresses. The cut man obviously is responsible for providing first aid as needed for the fighter. The corner man may also be the fighter’s trainer and in most cases is the physical support system during the fight. He wraps the fighter’s hands to protect them during the bout and has a deep knowledge of the physical mannerisms of the fighter. If he believes the fighter is struggling or at risk of physical harm should the fight continue can signal the referee to stop the fight by “throwing in the towel”.

Our corner consists of the trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one as we read in 1 John 5:7. Our entourage leads and guides, teaches and trains, knows our moves before we make them and protects us from our opponents.

In boxing the battle is waged by the fighter alone. As a Christian the battle is God’s as we read in 2 Chronicles 20:15 and the victory is ours as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:57 which prevents the need for ever “throwing in the towel”.

Who’s in your corner? Are you trying to fight your own battles or are you casting your cares on the Lord as instructed in 1 Peter 5:7?  Are you laboring and heavy laden, or are you following Matthew 11:27:28-29 which reads come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Why fight a battle that is not yours and has already been won? Rely on your corner.