I had the opportunity this morning to share in a circle of my dearest friends from John Deere. I joined in their bible study to share my experiences in serving. As we opened in prayer a memory swept over me...this was the first bible study I was ever invited to. Hard to imagine the same girl who timidly joined the group a few years back...with far more questions than answers...far more doubt than faith...would end up having something to share...in the same circle.
"God has been teaching me something Brandy...I can’t do it on my own strength." "Funny you should mention that Jana...it is what I am speaking about this morning." We smile..."Awwww the goodness of God’s timing."
What keeps us from serving?
Jennifer shares..."I think people struggle with serving because it often requires them to take that last step beyond their capabilities...which places them outside their realm of self-sufficiency." We are a people of independence...we are a people of control...it is hard to relinquish.
I could be the poster child for independence. I was raised to be self-reliant, self-motivated and driven. Not bad qualities to have...thank you mom and dad! :) But God calls you beyond your capabilities so that he may show you His glory...His strength and increase your dependency on Him.
In the private setting of the youth center...I cried out...(I was alone...you bet I cried out loud!) "Ok God...what do you want from me, I admit...you have called me beyond my capabilities...I have tried...I have failed...I genuinely believe I can not do this on my own strength." The tears welled up as I cried out in surrender.
Almost immediately...in God’s loving way...He answered..."It’s about time child...now I can work with you."
I’m usually partial to the NIV, but today I share with you from The Message.
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
2 comments:
Who would have thought that in our weaknesses we become strong...when we let Christ take over! It's part of God's perfect plan. It's hard to hear of your cries and pain, but our joy comes in also hearing that you have increasingly turned to Christ and His Word in all of this, Brandy. Blessings. Aunt D
You are much farther along in learning the paradox of God being able to use us in our weaknesses than I was at your age, Brandy. I think being submerged in ministry helps bring that realization about more quickly. Being broken is not something I relish, but it's definitely where faith increases and ultimately, peace as well. Thanks for sharing. . . Kathleen
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