Lenten Devotional
By Paul Lancaster

Scripture Reading

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

My Experience

As a college student majoring in American History, I was very excited about my future. I had been a volunteer coach for baseball and football throughout my college years. As a history major, the plan was to complete my degree and start a teaching and coaching career. 

During this time, I worked for a local heavy construction company in Tampa. Through the years my knowledge and value to the company increased as did my compensation. By college graduation time, I was making appreciably more money in the construction industry than I could make as a beginning teacher and coach.

I felt an emptiness inside; my passion and purpose were gone. A nagging question continued to haunt me. “God, you know I wanted to teach and coach so why do you have me stuck in this position in construction?” I struggled with this question for years. Finally, I received an answer from God. The answer -- ‘Teach and Coach’.

What did this mean? As a maturing Christian with a family, I desperately prayed for God to give me an answer that I could understand. The words I received from Him were again, “teach and coach”. This time His words stirred my heart. My purpose and passion returned. I realized not only could I teach others the skills I had learned through the years in construction but more importantly, I could mentor them in the ways of Jesus through Bible studies, small groups and accountability groups.

I finished my construction career in 2018 but my work for Jesus continues.

My Prayer

Father God, thank you for using all of us to do good works in your name. Help us to be bold in our faith and humble in your service. Lord melt us, mold us, fill us and use us when and where you need us; give us a purpose and a passion for making more and better followers of Jesus Christ. Amen.