I am not Superwoman

I COR 3:8-15

8Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
      10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 


These verses have been tumbling around in my head as I rush to put out one fire only to see another one starting.  And I keep thinking, "It's all gonna burn anyway..."

These verses make me nervous...each will receive his own reward according to his own labor....each man must be careful how he builds on it.....each man’s work will become evident...the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work....If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss....

I feel frantic!  I need to do more for Christ!  I need to save the world like Mother Teresa, work with special needs and hide Jews like Corrie ten Boom, teach like Beth Moore, worship like Hillsong, write like Ann Voskamp, put on a community play and edit a Mom's magazine... AND I NEED TO DO IT TODAY!!!!

You're laughing.      I would be laughing too... if YOU said it.  But when I say it, I actually believe it! 

But my edited version of those verses... the parts that make me nervous...have one very HUGE fatal flaw.  FATAL.  DEATH producing. 

I edited the work of God totally out. 

Do you see it?  I didn't plan to do that so I could be a clever writer.  I promise.  I write this blog in real time and put things on the screen AS I discover them.   And now I see what I've been doing.

If I look again, I see it's not up to me, because any measely work I do is SURROUNDED by the work JESUS has already done!  Look at it!  (I highlighted it in yellow below) Yes, there's a warning.  Yes, there's an admonition (that sounded really Biblical...admonition...)  BUT my works have to be cemented with Christ.  He is the foundation, and HE did that work.  Not me. 


8Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
      10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 

I'm His fellow worker... which means, He is my fellow worker in return.  We do this together.  He's the leader, but I get to do it WITH Him, not running around "for" Him.  "With" means, um, "with" - not solo, Superwoman going out to save the world on His behalf and reporting back to hear "well done."

 Lord, I have to leave this blog and get ready for my meeting, which I'm nervous about,  but I know there's more for me in this passage.  What do you need to burn away in my life?  What is the fire that burns away crud and leave pure gold? 

I'm afraid.  But once again, turn up the heat until you see your reflection in that refiners fire.  I'm so scattered and frayed and I've got straw stuck all in my hair.

You Won't Relent until You have it all    Lord the words of this song are burning into my heart.

"There is love that is as strong as death....  Come be the fire inside of me, Come be the flame upon my heart, Come be the fire inside of me, until You and I are one.