"...so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."
Romans 12:5-6a (NIV)
I imagine that God wishes we would be a little more like school children at times. As a child, when given a possible opportunity to lead in any capacity, we didn't stop to think how long the act of service would last. We didn't care so much what would be required of us ... would it cost us anything, or if there might be something else that we would rather do.
As adults, we tend to over-analyze everything and as a result, we find ourselves procrastinating, which causes our desire to serve to wane. When God called me to be a speaker and writer, I wasted several years trying to pretend that I did not really understand God correctly, or hoping that He would have sympathy for my fears and hesitations and give me an easier task. Oh, how He would have been so pleased if instead I had responded with, "Pick me Lord! Yes, pick me!"
When God calls us into service, often the timeliness of our response is a measure of our faith. Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.
Stepping out in faith requires us to fully rely on God, and not on our own assessments of our abilities. Philippians4:13 reads "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Do you believe it? Is God is calling you to a task that is beyond what you think you are capable of; one that may require you to make sacrifices and choose God's plans over your own? Are you willing to say, "Pick me!" and then depend on His strength and sovereignty to carry out His will?
Dear Lord, give me ears to hear Your voice and to know when You are calling me to serve. Help me to put my faith in You, and not in my own abilities. Fill me with a desire to serve in whatever way You have ordained for my life, and bless me with the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts that You have equipped me with. Help me to have confidence to move forward in faith because of who You are, not because of who I am. Pick me Lord! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Pray for God to make His will known to you, and to give you the desire to step out in faithful obedience to it.
Reflections:
Has God been calling me to a task that I am running from?
What can I do to take that first step towards obedience?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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