Lord, what do you want me to do?

​While working on a writing project, I was prompted and drawn by the Holy Spirit to my very first Bible that rests on a library shelf in my study. I had not looked at it for over fifty years.
My godly Grandparents George and Willa Eplin gave it to me as a present for Christmas in 1956 when I was four years old. Of course, I did not know how to read yet.
It is a King James Version Illustrated Bible. Beautifully painted pictures of biblical scenes caught my attention as a youngster. For its age, the Bible is in surprisingly good shape. The text is intact. The coal black cover is a bit worn and faded. The zipper cover protecting the Bible is non-functional. Overall, Steve Roll’s first Bible has weathered the decades well.
A little boy’s first Bible. Precious to me.   
What really grabbed and warmed my heart is an entry on the second page of the introduction written by my hand.
“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6. Pinelow camp. 1962.
Pinelow, located on scenic Deer Lake thirty-five miles north of Spokane, Washington was the northwest district campground for the Church of The Nazarene. Every summer my grandparents paid my way to attend a week at camp. I was ten years old in 1962.
Evidently, between sneaking peeks at pretty girls at chapel services, I listened to the preacher. He preached about Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. The words “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” must have struck a chord in my youthful spirit. I would not surrender my life to Christ until I was twenty. But something stirred me to write down that phrase.
Throughout my Christian life and ministry, I have asked the Lord what He would have me to do. The seed of that desire was sown in a fourth grader’s heart.
What did I think it meant then? Was it a foretaste of things to come in my life? Would I be saved like Paul and serve the Lord as a minister of the Gospel?  For whatever reason, and I believe it was of the Lord, I was moved to write it down in my Bible.
I have lived nearly seven decades. I love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I have done my best to revere, honor, obey and glorify Him. I have joyfully served Him as a minister of the Good News for forty-five years.
Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? is my heart cry currently.
I am not thinking of retirement. Not on your life. Re-enlisting in God’s service sounds good to me.  I am asking “Lord, how can You use me in the fourth quarter of my life for Your glory? What do You want to do with me? How do you want me to serve You in these last days? What would You have me to do Jesus?
Paul, previously Saul who persecuted Christians, became the Apostle of grace who preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and Jews. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he penned thirteen books of the New Testament. He was martyred for his faith in Christ. He fought the good fight of faith, finished his course and kept the faith. He would receive a crown of righteousness from Jesus (II Timothy 4:5-8).
Paul’s journey to his heavenly reward began with the words “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”
How about me and you? We are forgiven, saved by grace through faith in Christ who shed His blood on the Cross and rose from the dead to redeem us. You and I have abundant and eternal life. We are headed for heaven. What a day that will be when we see the Lord as He is! (I John 3:1-3).
Now what? Lord, what do you want to do with us?
How about you my friend? As a Christian, do you want to do what you want to or what the Lord wants you to do?
In general, all born-again believes are Christ’s witnesses, shining spiritual lights in a dark world, proclaimers of the Good News through word and deed, and servants of the Lord who minister to the needs of people in His name. Christ in us is the hope of glory and the hope of all who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  
In addition to the above, what about our personal calling? What would the Lord have you, yes you, to do?
My specific personal calling has been fulltime ministry. What is yours? Where has the Lord placed you and what are His plans for you?
Whatever your age or stage in life, God desires to use you.
Why not do these simple things this week.

• Set aside some undistracted time to ask “Lord, what would You have me to do?”
• Search Scripture as the Holy Spirit leads you concerning your task(s) for the Kingdom.
• Bounce your desire to be used of the Lord off one or two mature, wise, discerning, encouraging Christian friends.  
• Be still. For as long as it takes to listen and receive God’s answer.
• Then follow through on His plans for you.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoice that God wants to use you and me these last days to bring many people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. What a privilege to live for Jesus, serve Him, and do what He has planned, equipped and empowered us to do.
If you are bored, tired, confused, conflicted and discouraged because you think life is about you, think again. “Lord, what would you have me to do?” is the only way to live abundantly in Christ!
A Word For Your Week: Do what the Lord would have you to do.