Instrumentally

Scripture

God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

~1 Corinthians 1:28, NLT

Quote

It is not a question of our natural ability, but of our poverty {wretchedness}. It is not what we bring to Him but what He puts in us.

~Oswald Chambers

If you are like me, you have probably had doubts as to why God would call you into His service. Moses pleaded with the LORD to get someone else to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses felt inadequate for the task. I felt the same way when God called me. What we must keep in mind is this: God is competent. He knows exactly what He is doing. Surely, we would not compare our wisdom to His. We tend to look at things from a worldly perspective. We look at gifts and abilities; achievements and awards but God does not see things the way we do. Saul looked like a king. He had a humble demeanor, and he was head and shoulders taller than the other Israelites. Saul, being 6’8″ tall, naturally stood out in a crowd but Samuel learned the hard way that you cannot go by appearance. Can God use the highly gifted; the successful, the noble, or the wealthy? Sure, He can: He can use anyone, anyway, anywhere, any time He chooses. Paul didn’t say, “Not any,” he said, “Not many.” This is why Queen Elizabeth said she was saved by the “M”.

Both Jeremiah and Isaiah used the illustration of the potter and the clay. The LORD is the potter, and we are the clay. It is not about our making our lives something that He will be proud of; it is about Him taking us and making us something that pleases Himself. Focus on His competence, not our incompetence. Like the potter, He knows what He is doing. He chose you for a reason and He will make you a vessel that brings Him honor and glory. I don’t have to know why God called me. I don’t have to see visible results. All I have to do is rest in His competence. I believe what Paul said to the Philippians, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” This truth or insight is a shot in the arm to me. We never brag on the hammer or the saw; it is the carpenter that gets the praise. We are instruments in His hands: like a skillful surgeon, he will lay His hand on us at the proper time, and He will use us as it pleases Him.

Extra

Headed to Athens today, LORD willing, to visit with my sister and do some yard work. Holly, Chloe and Jeremy visited Miss Clara. who is in children’s, last night. Clara was feeling better. They carried her a backpack full of candy. Continue to pray for Shohn, Clara, Gregg, Traci, Joyce, Peggy, and Coral Southern who is at HH with heart issues. May do a heart cath today.

I hope you have a great day. Thanks for reading the blog.

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