A Working Key
We really don’t have enough of anything in us to serve God effectively. It’s only through the graceful rebuilding of us in the likeness of Jesus Christ that we begin to utilize the rich qualities of our Christianity. I’m not suggesting doing nothing, I’m pointing out that we are woefully inadequate as mere human beings, if we are not leaning heavily on the power of God to remake us in His image. We tend to admire our “talents” and conclude that “we should use these talents” to serve God. The correct way to serve God, is to let totally go of our trust in ourselves and rely on our trust in God. Whatever talents we may have developed out in our lives, are only building blocks, not monuments. If God wants to use them, He will. If He wants to junk them all and send us off in another direction, so-be-it! Our talents will naturally be modified once we invite God to take control of our lives for His purposes. God’s ability to change us from a “screwdriver to a hammer” as needed in His building plan is amazing. If however we operate under the assumption that we can only do what a screwdriver does, then we’ll never become the hammer which God wants us to be when He needs us to be it.
The “I’m good at this so I can do that” approach to serving God, emphasizes our abilities and ignores God’s omnipotence. When God took an anti-Christian proponent (the Apostle Paul) and turned him into the premier advocate of Christianity for all Gentiles, God was simply doing what He does so well. Noah wasn’t an ark builder before God told him to build one. Turning fisherman and tax collectors into devoted disciples was no small feat either. Their foundational stones were used by God for his purposes. From a proponent of one belief to a world class advocate of another. From desert craftsman to a desert shipbuilder, as needed. From fishermen to fishers of men. From a collector of taxes for a monarch to a collector of souls for a deity. God knows better than us what we can do if we are following His lead. Being open to that lead is the key. Remember, God took a shepherd boy (David) and turned him one of the most effective Kings in ancient history. To unlock our real potential we must accept that God holds the only working key. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV).
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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