This morning in my quiet time, I came across a passage of scripture. I want to share it with you in the Message version.
“Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” (2 Thess 1:11-12)
God has a calling for each of us. He has chosen you specifically for a purpose. You have a kingdom assignment from the King of Kings. Whatever that calling, He will make you fit for it. It doesn’t say that He will only call you to do the things you are already capable of, but rather that He will make you fit for the calling He has for your life.
I know this is true in my life as I became an Army wife just over a year ago after being married for 8 years. I see this daily as I homeschool my daughter with special needs. I saw this lived-out as we were foster parents to 6 different children in 3 years. I believe it for where He’s leading our family next. People have said to me so many times, “I couldn’t do that because….”, but the truth is, I couldn’t either on my own strength. In fact, if you had asked me just 5 years ago if I thought I would ever do any of those things I would have said you were crazy! But for the grace of God! He gave me what I needed to do the calling He placed on my life.
Countless times in the Bible, we see God using ordinary people to do big things. Noah built an ark. Abraham lived with his wife and his dad when God called him to a new country. Jacob was a father who played favorites with his kids. Joseph’s family was dysfunctional and full of jealous siblings. Moses was a lowly Hebrew boy that saved God’s people from Pharaoh. Rahab was a prostitute that helped God’s people when she saved the spies. Jesus’ disciples included a despised tax collector and common fishermen. Mary, the mother of our Lord, was a simple girl.
Our own Savior began His life in a stable, and grew up the son of a carpenter.
Why do we doubt that God wants to do big things through our lives? He wants to do extraordinary things through us, using us as His tools. Why? Because God wants His name to be glorified! When God does seemingly impossible things with ordinary people, He gets the glory.
What is God asking you to do? Does it seem too big? Too hard? Too scary? Don’t settle for only doing what you are already able to do. Pray that God will make you fit for His calling, and that through His strength and His power, you can do all that He has created you to do.
Remember,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Our God is greater, stronger and higher than any other! Trust Him with the master plan for your life. Yes, I know that’s hard. I am definitely a “control freak” by nature, but I am slowly learning to turn over each area of my life, my goals, and my dreams to my Heavenly Father. I have no doubt His plans are much greater than anything I could dream up on my own.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21)