Do you know how it feels to try to do something out of your comfort zone?
- Learning a new skill
- Overcoming a fear
- Going through something physically difficult or something emotionally baffling
- Making the right decision although it is the hardest way
All of these can make me feel like I am floundering in deep water with nothing to hold on to.
There is encouragement that God brought up in His Word to me in the past few days.
Read these words. They come from the book of Hebrews 13:20,21.
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, thru Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."You skimmed them didn't you? :) It's okay. But this time think about each phrase as it relates to the things you are dealing with right now in your life....
Things that you think you can't do
Things that you think you can't say
Things that you think you will not make it through
Now...
Who are we talking about here? The "God of peace". Peace has a way of fleeing the scene when our circumstances seem overwhelming. Danger is said to cause a "fight or flight" response. When we are fighting...we aren't experiencing peace. We also are not experiencing peace when we are running away.
Standing in the way...running away...both of these do not produce peace.
But what if we just got out of the way? Out of the way for the God of peace to come do what only He can do. Ahh...now there is peace.
My sister once told me that when she went on a mission trip to a scary part of the world, she wasn't afraid because (not only did she have God) but God sent a marine to be a part of the mission trip. :)
Yeah, I can see that. Going into a scary situation with someone trained to deal with danger would ease my fears too!
Or how many of us have said, "Come with me" to a friend because we were nervous about doing something on our own? Whether it be "come with me" to a doctor's appointment, or "come with me" to meet new people at a get-together...whatever it is...having someone alongside you can help to ease your fight or flight instinct.
What we...what I have to remember is that the Creator of the universe, the God of peace is with me every minute of every day and every night. And you know what? He has some pretty impressive credentials, let me tell you.
Right after telling me who the Scripture tells me what...what He did.
He brought Jesus back from the dead. This was real. Not some Hollywood movie.
Jesus...alive again. What power is that! More than a Marine!
And who is this Jesus? He is the Son of God. He is our Lord. He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
A shepherd loves his sheep so much that He takes care of them, leads them to pastures to graze, protects them from dangers of wolves or falling off cliffs, and carries them when they cannot go any further on their own.
Does this sound like someone you would want by your side in hard times? I think so!
So what is God doing? He is equipping me and you with EVERYTHING good that we will need to do His will. Do you see that? No need to feel inadequate. No need to feel scared. No need to be worried.
Because God is equipping us.
Man, so many times I try to equip myself. I hear the call and I start packing. I'm going to need this and that and a little of this and a whole lot of that. And by the time I hit the road I am burdened and weary with all of my equipping. But God carries that load for us, telling us that He will equip us to do His will.
What He calls you to, He will walk you through. (I didn't make that up; I heard it somewhere :) )
And while He is equipping me, I realize that He is the best leader there is. Because He knows what I need to do what it is I will be doing. He knows if I need solitude to study and prepare. He knows if I need friends around who care. He knows if I need courage, if I need forgiveness, if I need discipline. HE KNOWS...and isn't that the kind of person you want to have around when things get tough? Someone who knows what they are doing.
I have several friends who are nurses. They may get tired of me asking them questions (although they never say so) but I ask because I know that they know what is needed in certain situations whereas I do not. I have friends who are good at telling the truth in love and I appreciate them because of their courage to do this. I have friends who are good at encouragement...just in the nick of time.
God knows ALL our needs which is part of why He is the God of peace.
And as He gives each of us what is needed then He works in us what is pleasing to Him. The only way He does this is through Jesus Christ and His blood of the eternal covenant. Without Jesus' righteousness covering us, none of us can please Him. None of us can do this on our own.
And Jesus time after time comes saying, "Let me carry it. Cast your cares on me. Get out of the way and let Me show you what is needed."
Which is why we give Him the much deserved glory to His Name forever and ever.
So if you feel inadequate, go to the God of peace and find what you need in Him.
If you feel afraid, go to the God of peace and find courage in Him.
If you do not know what to do, go to the God who knows everything and find rest in Him.
If you are nervous, remember that our confidence is in the Lord.
Isaiah 30:15 says, "In returning and rest , you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
So just get out of God's way and let Him work through you ....and then watch what happens and give the glory to the Lord!!!
Today I heard the whisper of the Lord in the whisper of inadequacy.
