Our Job and God's

During the filming of the movie Ben Hur, Charlton Heston had to learn to drive a chariot. He was having a great deal of trouble, so he approached Cecil B. Demille, the director of the movie. Heston complained, “I can barely stay on this thing. I can’t win the race.” Demille answered, “Your job is to stay on it. It’s my job to make sure you win.” This is a good analogy of the promise God makes to us as Christians. It is our job to be faithful. It is God’s job to ensure the outcome.

Friends, all of us face a degree of uncertainty about what the future holds. Events both in our own nation and around the world seem to be increasing the anxiety of many. We do not know whether the road ahead for us will be rough or smooth, difficult or easy. It is almost certain, however, that challenges of some degree or another will face each of us in the days ahead. A trip to the doctor may reveal that we have a serious health problem. A change at work may result in financial uncertainty for our family. Conflicts and misunderstandings may put great strain on our marriage. One of our best friends may do or say something which makes us feel very betrayed. The death of someone close to us may cause us to experience pain and grief beyond what we have ever imagined. When these times of adversity strike, we might think that we are going to have a hard time staying on the chariot. We may feel that there is absolutely no way that we can win the race. In our despair we may decide to give up trying to follow the Lord, give up trying to do what is right, and instead throw in the towel and decide not to care about anything anymore.

We must remember, however, that our job is to simply hang in there and be faithful. God will see to it that we win the race. He is at work in our lives. In the Bible, the Lord makes many marvelous promises to His people which are intended to encourage us and help us keep going, even when the going is tough. One of my favorite promises, for example, is found at the end of Romans chapter 8. Through the Apostle Paul, God tells us, “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What a spectacular promise! If we are a believer in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love! The Lord simply wants us to believe what He has said and to trust Him to keep His word. If we do this, we need not fear where the road of life will lead in the future.

Friends, knowing the future is God’s job, not ours. Rather than worrying about what might lie ahead, we need to focus on doing what He has called us to do today. And remember, no matter what happens in the days ahead, stay on your chariot. Hang on and don’t give up. God will see to it that you not only finish the race, but that you will end up a winner.