Me? Are you sure about this, God? But what about A,B,C and X,Y,Z?? When God calls us to step out in faith for his kingdom’s sake, many of us start battling two lies. 1. We think we are unqualified and he’s got the wrong person. 2. We think it’s our battle to fight. Both of which are untrue when God tells us to move.
You are the right person. Yes, you! You are chosen by God to do big things for his kingdom.
My bible falls open to Jeremiah a lot. Like many other servants we read about in the bible, God told Jeremiah to get to work. But Jeremiah’s response was classic. He basically said, Lord, I can’t do what you’re asking. I’m a nobody.
“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” Jeremiah 1:5-6
Sound familiar? Why do we shrink away when God asks us to do his good work? I think the answer is because we think we have to do it alone. And alone we know we are not enough. But here’s the thing, time and time again, God shows up and makes his people victorious despite of themselves.
“But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:7-8
Let that sink in. God says, don’t say you can’t do it because it’s not you who’s going to make it happen! Go where I tell you to go. Do what I tell you to do. And do it in confidence– not confidence in yourself, but confidence in the God who is sending you! Because the God that is sending you will also be right there with you to ensure you are victorious on your quest not for your benefit, but for the glory of the Lord and his kingdom.
It’s not about you. It’s about God. It’s not you going alone, it’s God leading you and making a way through you for his purposes. And that takes some serious pressure off. It lets us step out, connect, serve, and speak in confidence when he tells us to do so.
I think of Joshua, who God called to lead the Israelites across the Jordan after the death of Moses. God didn’t just tell Joshua to lead and say “good luck!” no, he gave Joshua his hope and confidence.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right of to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go….meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9
Be strong and courageous my friends knowing that God is with you when you step out to do his work.
He’s with you when you pray because you are unsure of yourself.
He’s with you when you think the task is too big and you are too small.
He’s with you and will answer you when you meditate on his word trying to make sense of things.
Rest easy in his peace because He’s with you wherever you go. And even if you are unsure of your abilities, you can be sure of the one who sent you.
Andrea Chatelain 