SWIMMING IN THE DEEP END 

"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; ............" -  2 Corinthians  12:15  .

Whenever a new employee resumes at Apple, he/she receives an inspirational note that reads thus :

"There’s work and there’s your life’s work. The kind of work that has your fingerprints all over it.The kind of work that you’d never compromise on. That you’d sacrifice a weekend for. You can do that kind of work at Apple. People don’t come here to play it safe. They come here to swim in the deep end. They want their work to add up to something. Something big. Something that couldn’t happen anywhere else. Welcome to Apple" - (http://www.cultofmac.com, May 7, 2012)

In 2 Corinthians 12:15, the Holy Spirit gives an account of someone who decided to have his fingerprints boldly inscribed on everything committed into his hands. His name is Apostle Paul. He was affirmative about his desire to go extra miles in order to make his calling and election sure. Apostle Paul was ready to "swim in the deep end" at all times. He wanted to give the very best of everything he had, that is - "to spend and be spent" so that his kingdom service or stewardship can add up to something great. Unlike, Demas, Apostle Paul wasn't going to render a "play it safe" service. He wasn't planning to render "eyes service" either, but he was set to do the kind of work that will enable him put an indelible mark of great exploit on the sand of time. Unlike Gehazi and Judas Iscariot, he wasn't ready to render a "Is there anything in it for me service?".

Apostle Paul created a culture of kingdom work ethics that made him outshine his colleagues and even his superiors in the race of destiny.  Due to his dodged commitment and unflinching loyalty to the heavenly mandate, his life and kingdom exploit became a reference point for everyone in his generation even up till this day. According to Bible scholars, Apostle Paul witnessed to uncountable soul and God also used him to write 14 out of the 27 books of the New Testament. That is a feat that only someone who  truly "swimmed in the deep end" for God can achieve.

Beloved, as God called Apostle Paul, God is calling you and I to go "swim in the deep" for him. There is  work for all to do. The harvest field is ready but committed workers, who are willing to swim in the deep end are very few (Luke 10:2). Please be sincere with yourself. Are you among this few ones? Are you swimming in the shallow portion or deep end? Do you really want your works to add up to something great? Then get actively involved in the kingdom work like Apostle Paul. Whenever you do his work wholeheartedly, God will definitely give you a pat at the back and decorate you with the Crown of Rejoicing. A wonderful hymn "There's a work for all to do" which was composed by Katie Sheffield in 1924, corroborates this fact. May I urge you to please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this hymn.

THERE'S A WORK FOR ALL

In the harvest field now ripened
There's a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Refrain
           Little is much when God is in it!
           Labor not for wealth or fame.
          There's a crown — and you can win it,
           If you go in Jesus' Name.

In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus' love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life.

Does the place you're called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own.

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
"Welcome home, My child — well done!"

Good morning and do have splendid week. God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo