From Eyes Wide Open by Jud Wilhite:
"Here's a bit of reality. When we become believers, many of us think, Well, yeah, I have certain gifts and abilities. But then we begin to stall. We start thinking like this: You know, I don't have my life all together yet. I still have bad habits. I still have issues. If the people at church knew what they were, they just wouldn't believe how I keep messing up. I need a little time because right now God isn't ready to use me. Or we think, After I get my life together, once I get perfect, then God will use me. Good luck with that!
That's not the way God works. Look through the Bible - God uses imperfect, broken, hurting people everywhere. Being broken and hurting and imperfect is the human condition. It's what being human means in a fallen world. Who else is God going to use?"
This is good news because it means God can use me now instead of waiting until I become perfect, something that won't happen until my life here on earth ends. With that in mind, I need to get out of my own way and become more available for Him to use me. I need to let go of my insecurities and rest in the confidence that He created me for a specific purpose and will give me what I need, when I need it, to accomplish that purpose. I need to let go of my weaknesses and understand that in those weaknesses He is strong and will suppply what is needed for any assignment He sends my way so that He is glorified in it.
Oh, we do get in His way at times, don't we. God would never have been able to use anyone in the Bible if He had waited for them to become perfect. There's hope for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThank God.
Very good posting,a reminder to all of us who are called by His name. I came across this quote the other day from Joseph Campbell "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - You're right- we need to get out of our own way.
ReplyDeleteWell said Cindy! I think we need to take the first step and submit, recognizing that we are helpless without His power even in our spiritual gifts. He works in us and through us with the gift He has supplied when we are willing. I love this.
ReplyDeleteblessings and love,
Debbie
Oh Cindy how true this is, and how guilty I am. I spent soo much of my Christian life trying to prepare myself to be of some use. And guess what? It of course has never happened....still making mistakes, and sporting all kind of weaknesses. I LOVE that He uses us WITH all of our weaknesses, and looks only at our willing hearts. Getting out of my way is a good way to put it. I am going to remember that. Hope you had a good day! HUGS
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect timing in my life for this post. I keep feeling like I just can't measure up to some of the superheroes at church. You know, the ones that can do just about anything, help just about anyone, and do everything, seemingly effortlessly without so much as a frown. I want to be just like my superheroes. Thanks for the gentle reminder that even with my flaws, I can still make a difference.
ReplyDeleteYour post spoke right to my heart today and was just what I needed.
ReplyDeleteYes and Amen...I also love how much God used people in their second half of life, not just in their youth. Moses, a murderer, and yet he was older when God brought him out of the wilderness to lead God's people from Egypt...Yea, there is something left for me!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Yes! Applauding here. :)
ReplyDeleteGod uses the willing! You are certainly in that category, Cindy. Thank you for sharing all of your gifts, graces, and struggles with me. I love knowing I have a friend up north!
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine