Page 21 - WOTS_Issue_69

God is ultimately sovereign over our lives (Ephesians 1:9). our own personal hopes and dreams. If you are like most
He is in control. God and God alone is omniscient. He is people with a pulse, you desire “something more.” Allow
the one that possess all knowledge over everything and the Holy Spirit to break you of trying to do it all in order to
everyone (Isaiah 40:28, 1 John 3:20). Endlessly trying to give it all away to Him.
balance all of the things we think we need to do in order
to have a happy, fulfilling life ultimately comes down to a “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you
trust issue. We simply don’t trust that God knows what’s can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is
best for our lives. We’re driven to try and do it ourselves. not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of
It’s easy to be driven to worry about everything and to us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He
feeling like there is no escape from it. We have to has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good
remember that we worry because we forget who God is.
things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

MEET ARTISANS

THE

Verses in the Bible that mention anxiety are often Cebu City has a lot of
followed by reminders to pray (Philippians 4:6-7). God unique crafts and
and God alone can satisfy our hearts. Everything else specialty trades, such as
turns to ashes. basket making.

“We are not to choose jobs and conduct our work to fulfill Recently, we had the
ourselves and accrue power, for being called by God to do opportunity to meet
something is empowering enough. We are to see work as Elmo, a local crafter
a way of service to God and our neighbor, and so we who has been making
should both choose and conduct our work in accordance baskets since 1988. He
2
with that purpose.” How, then, do we change our learned his trade from
expectations and priorities to align with God? When we a friend who has since
seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, then He will passed away.
see that you never lack the necessities of life. Therefore,
we must give it all over to the Lord (Matthew 6:33-34). If Throughout the
we do, cruising that airplane at 36,000 feet won’t years, Elmo has perfected
suddenly make life an easy walk in the park, but it will his timing and skills, allowing him to make at least four
mean our decision-making won’t be based upon ourselves baskets per day. At 50 pesos each, they’re a bargain.
or what other people say anymore. Our decisions and Plus, you get to support one of your own local artisans!
follow-through will be based upon our sovereign God who
has our best in mind. We won’t be tempted to keep If you are wondering where you can buy one of Elmo's
squeezing more in with no end in sight. We’ll simply try to baskets (or talk to him as he makes them) you can
carry out the mission God has for us in the context of usually find him near CTU.
where He has put us. Submission to His ultimate authority
is the greatest peace you can ever hope to find in this life.
In the end, we should consider whether we truly believe
that God is better than anything or anyone else, including

1
All biblical references come from Tyndale’s NIV Life Application Bible
2 Every Good Endeavor, Timothy Keller, p. 67, 2012