It takes a lot of courage, to put things in God’s hands,
To give ourselves completely, our lives, our hopes, our plans.
To follow where God leads us and make His will our own.
But all it takes is foolishness, to go the way alone!

 

Many of you have been or will be evaluated by someone. You feel anxious. You work to prepare a report that accurately reflects what you do. On the day of the meeting you pay more attention to the way you dress in order to look professional. You may even practice saying several of your statements out loud.

 

For most, your fears were greatly exaggerated. The evaluation went well. For a few, your fears were accurate and there are disappointments to be faced and dealt with.

 

Being evaluated is often a genuinely scary experience.

 

I understand because I was evaluated this week too. My supervisor is kind and gracious but she has high expectations for me and the churches I serve.

 

But the real evaluation should always come from our relationship with God.

 

All of us answer to God. How are we doing?

 

Here are standards to consider.

 

1 Timothy 4: 6-13 — A Good Servant of Christ Jesus – If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

 

Here are nine standards worthy of evaluation:

 

  • Explain these things to the brothers and sisters.
  • Be a worthy servant of Christ who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
  • Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas.
  • Train yourself to be godly.
  • Work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God.
  • Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.
  • Don’t let anyone think less of you.
  • Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
  • Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

 

I don’t know about you but I definitely come up short.

 

Here is the lesson though. Paul did not write this to point out our shortcomings. Paul wrote this to illustrate the standards expected but also to point out that we are not alone in our journey.

 

God will be with us in the midst of our successes, our failures, our good evaluations and our not so good evaluations.

 

A few years ago, I copied the following poem. The author is unknown.

 

It takes a lot of courage, to put things in God’s hands,
To give ourselves completely, our lives, our hopes, our plans.
To follow where God leads us and make His will our own.
But all it takes is foolishness, to go the way alone!

 

You have already demonstrated great courage by literally putting your life in God’s hands.

 

In so many ways, you’ve given yourself completely, your life, your hopes, your plans.

 

Good evaluation or bad, you have been called by God to follow where God leads and make His will your own.

 

Finally… You are not foolish because you are not alone.

 

There are many who love you, pray for you and support you.

There are others who have been greatly impacted by you and your ministry.

There are more who will be impacted by your ministry.

 

Finally… God has called you, continues to strengthen and encourage you, and always walks with you.

 

It takes a lot of courage, to put things in God’s hands,
To give ourselves completely, our lives, our hopes, our plans.
To follow where God leads us and make His will our own.
But all it takes is foolishness, to go the way alone!