“REED” This

Why Did You Ask?

I was recently asked to do something for someone and I happily accepted the request and accomplished the task. A few days after submitting my work, I was sent an email thanking me for my “suggestions” and was then asked to change basically half of my work. I have to admit, I did not receive that well. I was not under the impression that what I had submitted would be manipulated to fit into a certain form or meet a particular criteria. That had never been communicated. I did what I was asked to do, and yet the one who asked seemed to have their own agenda and ideas. So, why did they ask me to submit anything? (Just to clarify, this has nothing to do with anyone in the church.) In my mind, I’m wondering why I was asked to use my time to do something that was never going to be used. That’s a big waste of my time. I replied to the email asking what was meant by “suggestions” and “fitting it in” but have not received an answer. This greatly bothers me. However, in order to maintain this relationship, I’m trying to stay patient and work with this individual. I’m not exactly sure how this will play out, so I’ll continue to do what I can.

We’ve all experienced things like this. We’re asked to do something, but after doing it, we may be criticized for it or it is rejected completely. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into what has been asked of us and yet our work is changed or reworked into something entirely different. We are left thinking, “Why did you ask me to do this if you just wanted it your way?” “Why did I waste my time?” This leaves us very frustrated. And when we are not told why, that only exacerbates the problem.

Sometimes God asks us to do things for Him and we’re not sure why. However, He doesn’t change our work or what we offer, yet, He does use it sometimes in a different way. I may not understand the particulars to what and why He is asking, but with God, I always know He will use it for good. God never asks us to do things that wastes our time. The task can always grow us in some way, if we will allow it. The project He gives us may be quite difficult, but He’ll give us the strength and ability to accomplish it, and the blessings will far outweigh the effort. I may not see the results for a very long time or I may never see any results, and that can be confusing or frustrating. But I know, because of my faith, that God will bring those results in His timing. And that timing will be perfect. That’s where I find my peace – resting in Him because He is God, and He is good, and He is working for my good (Jer. 29:11).

Working with people can be aggravating at times. I’m sure people have gotten aggravated with me and my requests. None of us are perfect. But God is perfect. And we can place our full faith in Him in whatever He asks us to do, knowing He will take and use it for good and for His glory. No matter what we are asked to do, we simply need to obey.

“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, ‘Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went.”  Acts 8:26-27a NASB

Bro. Paul Reed