“We are coffin makers”
What a strange word I received on April 19th in relation to the post from that day – Called to be fruitful. I’m still pondering it, but I was led to a video of a coffin maker speaking about his craft and I took away three points.
1. If we make our calling too convenient, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to get stronger.
2. Work is love made visible.
3. Our work of love is part of a bigger picture that we don’t fully understand. So, work and pray.
Surely, this could be said about many crafts, so why coffins? It seems so morbid, but maybe it’s about carrying someone from this life into eternity. Isn’t that the point of our talents and spiritual gifts?
Stewardship in this area involves actually using, instead of hiding or wasting, our gifts, and using them well. However, our motivation in using them really matters, according to 1 Corinthians 13. Our efforts are considered worthless unless motivated by love.
Our gifts are meant to build up the church; to build up their faith, to build up their love for and trust in Christ.
“Stay close to Me, and your life will bear fruit” – April’s “word to walk in” is a reminder of the importance of abiding in Christ as we steward our talents and spiritual gifts for the kingdom.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:4
It is only by abiding in the Vine, abiding in love ourselves, that we can pour out that love in our callings. What is watered by love will bear fruit, and in this He is glorified.
I’ll carry you, will you carry me?
Products used
This page is the monthly overview for the month of April in my faith planner. I’m using these pages to reflect on the different gifts we’re given to steward as that is my focus for the year.
I used a few printables, stamps, and washi tape from Illustrated Faith. The jumping off point for my journaling is the April prompt from a printable by @kristina.proffitt for Illustrated Faith’s digital Print Pray Shop. It’s called Words to walk in and includes a set of twelve prompt cards; one per month.
Be encouraged
🎶 Washed ~ Newlands Worship, Leeland
There is a never-ending stream
From the hands and the feet of Christ the Son
And if your heart is dry
There’s no reason to strive
It’s already done
Jesus the well of life only you satisfy
Our soul
I want to be washed within the waters
Carried by the river
Overwhelmed by overwhelming love
I want to be head over my heels God
Deep within the fountain of your love
And when all my days grow dim
I wanna be found in your flood
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace
1 Peter 4:10
