You Did What I Asked You to Do — Walking with Jesus.

Walking with Jesus

You Did What I Asked You to Do

Pastor Calvin Cook

July 30, 2026 — Day 19 of 40

Scripture: “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” — John 17:4

This morning going personal in what I share —

The last several months have been a roller coaster for my friend Ed Johnson. Ed as many know, is waiting on a new heart. The last couple of weeks can certainly be described as being on a continual roller coaster ride. That ride is not over. I have tried to be a friend and Pastor to Ed and his wife Tami and to a whole community that is standing in prayer and cheering on in many ways, kind words, prayers, visits, gifts and so much more.

This week after some conversations and hearing of the setbacks that have happened with Ed, I felt a very strong urging by the Holy Spirit on Tuesday afternoon to call for a time of community prayer. A very quick call to prayer and fasting. My hope was that it be truly Holy Spirit led and inspired and that there be no obstacles, people intervention, or apprehension about coming together in prayer for Ed and Tammi and others in need of prayer and healing.  

And…..it happened. The sanctuary was full, the Holy Spirit was present, anointing with oil took place, prayers were raised and God was honored because of our faithfulness to come together. Our time together was great – and something that we do not experience enough.

Through the less than 30 hours leading up to this time I kept being encouraged by those who had stepped forward to help that we had to be very careful that this was Holy Spirit inspired and that we would not get in the way of what the Holy Spirit wanted to do.

I want to share with you what I heard as I turned off the lights in the sanctuary and walked through the darkness of the room. I heard very clearly the Holy Spirit speak “You did what I asked you to do.” It wasn’t loud or boisterous, just a solemn affirmation of doing what the Holy Spirit wanted to do and did well because we all, all of us, whether we prayed quietly from home, sat in the pew, cried tears, came for healing and anointing ourselves, even lingered in that place – did what God was calling us all to do.

There are many things I hope to hear during my lifetime. Words of encouragement, appreciation, and love all mean a great deal. But when my walk on this earth is finished and I stand before Jesus, there is one thing I long to hear:

“You did what I asked you to do.”

Not, “You did everything perfectly.” I know that will never be true.

Not, “You never struggled, questioned, stumbled, or became distracted.” My life has already proven otherwise.

Not even, “You accomplished everything you wanted to accomplish.”

What I hope to hear is simply, “You were faithful to what I asked of you.”

This is my constant prayer – that I be found faithful!

In John 17, Jesus was praying as He prepared for the cross.  In prayer Jesus said to the Father, “I have finished the work you gave me to do.” Jesus had taught, healed, loved, forgiven, served, and prepared His disciples. Most importantly, He had remained obedient to His Father.

Walking with Jesus means learning to recognize what He is asking us to do—and then doing it. The first step we must take is to come to Jesus. The first thing is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life. It was so for Nicodemus in John 3:3 and it is true for us today.

Then as a follower and disciple of Jesus the direction becomes clear. Go speak to that person. Offer forgiveness. Make the telephone call. Visit the one who is lonely. Share Jesus. Feed someone who is hungry. Pray for the one who is hurting. Step into the call that has been placed upon your heart.

At other times, we may not see the whole plan. This becomes the problem, because we want God to do what we want God to do. Here is where faith, trust, and finding peace in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirt must take precedence.  We only know the next faithful step.

We can spend so much time waiting for a great assignment that we overlook the simple acts of obedience placed before us today. Yet nothing done for Jesus is insignificant. A quiet prayer, an encouraging word, a meal delivered, a hand extended, or a few minutes spent listening may be the very work He has given us to do.

I do not want to reach the end of my journey carrying a long list of good intentions. I want my life to bear the evidence that when Jesus called, I followed; when He directed, I obeyed; and when He placed someone in my path, I loved them.

Today, let us ask a simple but serious question: “Jesus, what are You asking me to do?”

Then, when He shows us, may we have the courage, faith, and obedience to do it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me recognize the work You have given me to do. Keep me from becoming distracted by what is unimportant or discouraged by what seems insignificant. Give me the courage to take the next faithful step. When my journey is complete, may I hear You say, “You did what I asked you to do.” Amen.

Disclaimer : These words this morning are fully Holy Spirit. They are very personal to me and my hope to share my vulnerability that these words might help someone else. I know there are those who may not understand these words or think them a little hokey or weird. But please know, I admit, I am a sinner in need of redeeming grace. I am far from perfect or having it all together but am doing my best to be a follower of Jesus working out my own salvation as I strive to please Jesus.