There is nothing we can't face...

The battle is not ours
     We look to God above
For He will guide us safely through
     And guard us with His love.

So do not be afraid.
     We need not run and hide,
For there is nothing we can't face
      When God is at our side

     It is easy for me to see how God uses different circumstances to make us into the people He wants us to be. We are promised:

... that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NASB)

     The bad things, the good things, the less than perfect actions, the more than terrible events, the mistakes, the successes... Everything! God works everything into an opportunity to bring Him glory. Understand, this does NOT give us the right to do whatever we want in whatever manner we choose:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! (Romans 6:1-2a NASB, emphasis added)

     God commands us to be the absolute best we can be, BUT this does not mean we can be (or even should try to be) perfect. Perfection is reserved for God alone, but as Christians we are to do everything within our abilities to become as Christ-like as possible.

     This is a concept that I understand well. The Lord has granted me a strong faith; so, believing His promises to be true is very natural for me. What I am just learning, and struggling with, is humility. I want to do so much for God, but for whatever reasons, He is choosing not to allow me the opportunities that I want. My struggle is being content with the abilities and resources God has given me. There is so much that I want to do and that I want to be -- I want to grow and reach more people for the glory of God -- BUT that is not always God's way.

     We are to become less so that Christ can become more. If we are constantly preoccupied with how much "range" we have as Christians, we have lost our focus. God has created each and every one of us unique and with a special, specific purpose. He has intricately designed you to do something for His kingdom. This may be something that, by earthly standards, is very, very small; however, doing something small unto the glory and obedience of God is of infinite worth to Him. All the glory, money or prestige of the world is worthless if it is not in obedience to the will of God.

     God uses everything: "good" events and "bad" events, but He also uses people: great big billionaires and little tiny elementary schoolers. There is nothing "too big" or "too small" that God cannot or does not use to further His glory. We may never know in this life all of the little things we did that brought honor to the Kingdom of God, but God sees EVERYTHING, and He uses EVERYTHING for His good.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)

     God uses the weak and the strong. In fact, in weakness, God is more clearly made known and His glory is more readily seen.

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

For you created my inmost being;

     you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

     your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

     God created you intentionally. We live in a sinful world, depraved and full of imperfections, but God knew you and designed you before the world was made. He knew everything you would do and everything you would be. To be discontent with the resources and abilities God has given you is to shake your fist at God and say, "God, you made a mistake." The world is broken because of sin, but God has provided a way out. He has given us new purpose and new hope.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

     And in His will we are unstoppable!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Be What You Say

     What people say and what people do, unfortunately, tend to be on two opposite ends of the spectrum. I believe everyone is guilty of that; either you are lying to yourself or you are lying to those around you. But there is another aspect as well, perhaps one says these false perceptions of self because they want them to be true...

     For example, there is one gentleman I know who is constantly professing, "I do everything I can to understand people. I leave my biases at the door and listen to what people say the way they intend it to be heard not necessarily the way it comes out. It is my duty to hear what people mean." If one takes this statement at face value, this gentleman sounds like one of the greatest communicators in the world, for indeed, that is the way communication should happen. People garble their words all the time -- often saying things that are very rude or hurtful -- but never intending to BE rude or hurtful with their words. 

     Sadly, my friend is renown by all who know him to be the most difficult, hard nosed communicator they have ever met. His skills in understanding what is said and speaking in a way that can be understood are so ineffective that he is forever hurting those around him and frustrating himself.

     Why does this happen? Pride. Using my friend again, his pride in his communication skills blinds him to his errors. He believes that his mode of communication is virtually perfect, any other modes are inferior. Therefore, he believes that if he is not understood it is the listener's fault; conversely, he will put any message he hears through his internal filters, re-interpreting what was said into what he feels it meant.

     This self-blindness caused by pride limits the relationships around him.

     How does this apply to us? In short, be wary of pride. One of the most difficult tasks is recognizing pride in ourselves. Therefore, find a friend or mentor -- a good one, who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. If you do not already have one, pray that God will send you one -- He is faithful to fulfill our needs. Allow this friend to point out your flaws in brotherly love. Our goals in life are to be the best representatives of Jesus Christ that we can be and to bring God glory. By allowing this friend to reveal the faults that we do not see, it gives us the opportunity to work on those problems.

     Now that these problems have been recognized, don't just talk about the right actions, DO THEM.

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" (Matthew 7:16 NASB)

    It is not enough to TALK about doing the right thing; one must actually DO it. Sometimes, it is something that can be fixed easily; more often it is a process. It takes time to learn another mode of behavior, but do not fear! The reward of growing in righteousness is infinitely more than the difficulties of changing. And do not be discouraged, God will be your strength.

"Because I master all things by The Messiah who empowers me." (Philippians 4:13 Aramaic Bible in Plain English)