One month in to this new platform and it’s been amazing! I’ve been totally blown away by the response, the comments, the messages, the powerful words of encouragement. And while all of that has been great and even fun at times, I have to confess something – it has NOT been easy.
You would think after thousands of views and all kinds of positive reenforcement from people that I would be on top of the world, but instead I have been scared to death. Scared of not being good enough. Or smart enough. Or polished enough. Worried that I might misquote a scripture or not think a topic through well enough. Concerned that I might make a huge mess of things, or become a hindrance more than a help. Bottom line – I feel inadequate to do what God is calling me to do.
This ‘feeling’ has caused me to hesitate, to pause, to question. And the enemy has been right there doing his best to pour on as much doubt, shame, and fear as possible.
Well, that ends today!
Today is day 3 of my church’s 21 Days Of Prayer to kick off the year and God spoke to me in a powerful way through that corporate time, through a friend, and through my wife. Here are a few key takeaways:
1) I AM INDEED INADEQUATE – I have nothing to offer God but my obedience, my willingness to say ‘yes’. And that’s just the way he wants it. In my weakness his strength will be known. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2) HE WILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING NEEDED TO GET THE JOB DONE – My pastor often says that God doesn’t call the equipped, but that he equips the called. My focus is on Jesus, and he’ll do the rest. Acts 4:13 says “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
3) IT’S NOT ABOUT ME – None of this is about me. It doesn’t matter how I ‘feel’. It doesn’t matter what skills I do or do not have. It doesn’t matter who the world thinks I am, or even who I think I am. The only thing that matters is who God says I am. As Christ followers we must remember at all times that we are:
CHOSEN – John 15:16
CALLED – 2 Timothy 1:9
REDEEMED – Ephesians 1:7
RESTORED – 1 Peter 5:10
REBORN – 1 Peter 1:3
RENEWED – 2 Corinthians 4:16
RISEN FROM THE ASHES – Isaiah 61:3
ANOINTED – Luke 4:18
APPOINTED – Esther 4:14
SET APART – Hebrews 10:10
SANCTIFIED – Hebrews 10:10 & 10:14
SAVED – Ephesians 2:8-9
HEALED – 1 Peter 2:24
EMPOWERED – John 14:12-14
Join me in walking, speaking, and living accordingly!