“Father, I have glorified You on earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do."
John 17:4
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire after 40 years of building homes. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. It was time. They could go on without him. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and ask if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. He cut corners. He rushed through the job as fast as possible. He didn’t bring his best. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.” What a shock! What a shame! If the carpenter had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.As Jesus was getting ready to die on a brutal cross for the sins of the world, He prayed the the following prayer to His Father:“Father, I have glorified You on earth by [completing the work] that You gave Me to do.”Jesus was laser focused on His work. He worked the work God the Father had sent Him to earth to complete. He didn’t cut corners. He didn’t do a shoddy job. He didn’t wing it. He didn’t quit. Every day He brought His best from town to town and village to village. And what was His work? His work was to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples. His work was to start a movement of multiplying disciples—and then die for the sins of the world. There was no plan B—Plan B was plan A. His work was to bring His Father great glory on the earth.So, how about you? What kind of house are you building with your life? Are you laser focused and consumed with bringing God the Father great glory with your life? Are you living the life, working the work, and leveraging your influence to build His kingdom? Or, are you going through the motions day in and day out, not giving your best, not making disciples of Jesus Christ with your life? Remember, if you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time. So whether you’re a baseball coach, pro scout, sports agent, doctor, attorney, first responder, business leader, educator, or stay at home parent, etc. - never forget, first and foremost you’re a “Minister” in disguise as a _________.(Fill in your blank)Chase after the same heart, focus and passion of Jesus. Finish well by praying . . .“Father, I have glorified You on earth by [completing the work] that You gave Me to do.”Love God. Love People. Live Sent.Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 42 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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