Have you heard the saying "God equips those He calls"? It is such a powerful statement; we know it to be true, yet also so terrifying. When we acknowledge the statement is true, we have to acknowledge that God might be calling us to do work in an area that is unfamiliar to us. He may be calling us to do something that asks us to step out of our comfort zone. He may be calling us to do something that we don't feel qualified to do. "I can't do that! No way am I good enough!" But, you know there is a Book full of true stories and accounts of people that probably didn't feel qualified to do what God was calling them to do. They might not have felt worthy of His calling. But, so many of those people who felt so undeserving, all did one thing correctly - they followed God' calling. He equipped them, and they worked for His glory.
Moses couldn't speak - God provided a speaker and they led God's people to freedom
David was just a small boy - God gave him the confidence to stand up to Goliath and defeat him
Daniel faced death - God closed the mouths of the lions and used his bravery to convince the king to worship the One True God.
Jonah ran from God's calling - God allowed him to survive in the fish's belly and spit him out where he was needed.
The list of "unusable" people that were called and used in the Bible is a long list.
Do you feel unusable?
God can use us all. We are to have the confidence that He can and will equip us with just what we need. We can do what He is calling us to do. Remember, we can do anything with His help because He strengthens us. (Phil 4:13)
I heard a wonderful sermon over the Christmas break about why God chose Mary to give birth to our Savior. The pastor discussed in his sermon the fact that God uses broken people; He uses humble people; He uses people that have been hurt, but most importantly He uses willing people. The main characteristic you have to possess to work for God is just your willingness and openness to follow His plan. His glory is the end and most important result!
While reading the story of David and Goliath over the break, a few things stuck out in this familiar Bible story. The story is found in 1 Samuel chapter 17. Goliath, the Philistine, challenges the Isrealites to send a man to fight him. Goliath was huge. This man was scary. This man seemed unbeatable to the Isrealites. But, not to little David. I say "little" because the king did not think David would be able to fight Goliath, and said to David "thou art but a youth" v. 33. But, that didn't stop David. He had God on his side. He had faith God would equip Him. He had faith God would prevail. He had faith no matter the circumstance. In verse 37 we read, "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine, And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." He doesn't take the armor offered to him. He doesn't take a sword. In verse 40 we read, "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shephard's bag which he had, even a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine." What jumps out at me in this verse is "which he had". He took what he had. He took what he knew. He took what he was comfortable with, and he defeated Goliath. "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David." verse 50.
What do you have that you could use for God's glory now? What can be your sling? Do you love to cook? - use those pots and pans to the service of God. Do you love to organize? - use those skills to help organize events for church. Do you have good handwriting? - start a card writing ministry. Do you have a flexible schedule? - pray that God will show you how to use it for His glory. Do you have a longing to serve Him in any capacity? - He will show you how to, just be willing to be used.
I have a wonderful friend that travels a lot. When she is not traveling for work, she is able to work from her home office. She was able to use this flexible schedule to be an influence in a little girl's life in her community. She goes and has lunch with her at school, and I know she is a great example to this young troubled youth. She is using what God has given her. Her "sling" is her time that she has to devote to this girl. What can your "sling" be?
Today's Verse
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." 1 Sam 17:45
We can do anything with God's help; David's story is proof of that. No matter how unusable you may feel, you can do anything in God's name. David came "in the name of the LORD" and David was victorious in the name of the LORD. He came with what he had, and God used it. Let's find our "sling" today and let's use it for the name of the LORD.
No comments:
Post a Comment