Ok, I admit it. I am not as well-adjusted as I look. I am prone to bouts of worry and I tend to over think and over analyze just about everything. I regularly spend so much time focused on the thoughts and ideas that are banging around inside my head that I miss what is going on right in front of me.
I’ve also been known to fall victim to my own fears and doubts. I fear failure, both for myself and my endeavors, and I doubt my ability to do what’s required of me. Can I really be the faithful follower that God has asked me to be? Can I really love my wife as I should; unconditionally and without reservation? And can I really continue to write and speak about the Truth when I am so often persuaded by a lie?
Spoken more plainly, why does God choose to use us to carry out His plans when we are so weak and prone to failure?
The answer, I am learning, has far more to do with the nature and character of God than it has to do with anything about us.
From a personal perspective, the more I get to know Him, the better I see His nature and understand His character. And if there is one awesome truth that God has given me a glimpse of lately it is that He cannot fail, He cannot lose and He is always faithful. He is constant when I am wayward. He is loving when I am unkind. He is victorious through the most horrific of circumstances and there is absolutely nothing that He cannot do.
God is not surprised. God is not overwhelmed. God is not tired. And God’s purposes are always accomplished in His time and in His way.
To know that I am privileged to be a part of His divine plan for redemption and that He is patiently working through me is a marvelous thing. Although there is still so much that I don’t understand I am beginning to realize that as I am faithful and obedient, God will provide me with exactly what I need to do His work, when I need it. Instead of focusing on my weakness, my fear and my doubts, I will instead focus on His strength, His glory and His love.
This is a fundamentally important and necessary shift in my perspective that must take place if I am to walk in a manner that pleases God. What does the writer of Hebrews say?
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NASB)
We must have faith in the character and nature of God. The only way to have that faith is to get to know Him and to let Him be Lord in every area of our lives. We must continually seek Him and never stop following hard after Him.
“Lord, may we strive to know you ever better. May we be faithful followers. May we seek you first and always. And may the desire of our hearts be to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ our Savior. Amen.”
Great Post Matthew. We do a great job of stressing ourselves out. Regarding the questions you posted at the beginning, when we learn to answer “no” to those questions and realize it is only with God’s strength, wisdom and intervention can we answer yes. Of course it sounds easy, but we have to be willing to let go and trust. Let’s just say I am still a work in progress.
Thank you, Jon.