Dear Children,

Yesterday, we found out about the death of a 50-year-old man in a freak accident. It reminds me of how short life is and that we can’t take any day for granted. I spent a large portion of last night praying for his family and reflecting on what I want to change in my life. To be honest, I’ve been reflecting on this for several months now. For quite a while I have felt that God wants more from me than what I have been giving.

Today I was reading in the book of Titus. Typically when I read Titus I focus on the beginning of chapter 2 where the older women (not sure when exactly I went from younger to older status – but older I am) are told how to behave and what to teach the younger women. But today, the end of chapter 2 caught my eye. Titus 2:14 says:

“who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

I have “good works” circled in my Bible and a note next to it that says, “Am I zealous for good works?”

I have to admit, that I’m not sure that I’m zealous for much of anything right now. If I had to pick an adjective to currently describe me I’d probably go for more like “exhausted” or “tired” or “overwhelmed”. “Weary” is another word that I have used a lot these past few months.

I’m constantly reminding myself to “not grow weary in doing good.” (Galatians 6:9)

In Chapter 3 of Titus, Paul uses the phrase “good works” three more times.

• “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.” (Titus 3:1)
• “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:9)
• “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14)

Whenever there is such repetition in a chapter, I always try to take notice.

I don’t know how many of you know this, but the very first Bible verses I ever memorized were Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

But I never memorized the following verse which says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

So when it comes to good works, we should be zealous for them, ready for them, and maintaining them. All because we were created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Since I’m very task-oriented, one of my first thoughts is, “OK God, so what good works have you created for me to do?” And while I do want to have an answer to that question, I also want to acknowledge God’s grace to me. Not only has He saved me, but He loves me so much that He has created good works specifically for me to accomplish. That’s mind-boggling.

I think I’ve spent the past decade very inwardly focused. I’ve been focused on my home, my children, my husband, and my business. And I know I’ve done a lot of good works for all of you. But I can’t help but feel like God has other good works for me that aren’t directed at my family, friends, or customers.

And so instead of asking God what good works I should accomplish, I will be asking God to make me zealous for good works. If I open my eyes to urgent needs and feel a zealous need to help and make a difference, then I will know that I am in His will and doing the good works prepared for me.

And so my darling children, I must ask the question, “Are you zealous for good works?”

I would love to hear what God has laid on your heart. I’m also curious to see if He has laid the same things on many of our hearts because He wants us to do some good works as a family.

And maybe God even has some good works for us as a business. We’ve talked about helping out in Uganda, but we’ve never been zealous enough about it to make it happen.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for saving us by your grace, through faith in you. And I thank You for loving us so much that you have prepared good works for each of us to do. I know that none of our good works can help us enter Heaven, just the Saving Grace of Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But I also know, Lord, that the Bible teaches that faith without works is dead and not true faith. True faith in Jesus as our Savior will produce good works that benefit others. And so I pray, Lord, that You would help each of us to be zealous for good works, to feel a driving need to meet urgent needs, to help others, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us make a difference in people’s lives through our good works and may those good works shine the light of Jesus where it is needed. For it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen