Trust God to Use You
You’re a chosen vessel
Inherent in human nature is the irresistible urge and tendency to complain and be overtly critical; even of ourselves. This only serves to benefit the adversary of our souls, who always takes advantage of this (faulty) state of mind. Your adversary will remind you of your flaws, inadequacies, and past mistakes. As if your internal struggles aren’t bad enough, sometimes, others point to your faults; magnify them and make you feel inadequate. Sadly, one of the results is that many come to church feeling unworthy, out of place, or undeserving; yet God specializes in using flawed and inadequate people! Every biblical character you can think of or read about had their own share of flaws, and still, God chose them and used them mightily, regardless of the opinion of those around them. Consider David, Moses, and Peter as examples. Thank God He doesn’t listen to the opinions of others about us.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made
This is God’s Word over your life. Even with your flaws, if you submit to God, yield to His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to take control (implying you have to relinquish control as an act of submission) God can use those flaws and even transform them for His use and glory, making you a tool He can use to touch the lives of others and be a blessing to them; even your critics. God will never give up on you (He has promised never to leave or forsake you. Joshua 1:5 is an example of many verses in which God declares this) so you have no reason to give up on yourself, or on others. Can you imagine the legacy, testimonies and faith building works you and I would have been deprived of if Jesus had given up on Peter; even after Peter denied Jesus thrice? Yet Jesus saw Peter as a “diamond in the rough”, as we all are. There’s hope for you! Rejoice in what God can do for you; in you, and through you! Even in your past, there is plenty to thank Him for.
God will continue to work in mysterious ways
I will always remember a story a friend shared with me. In his college days, he was part of a cult. Needless to say, membership and participation in this this cult involved less than pleasant acts. He was brazen and feared by many. It will be accurate to say he inflicted terror in many. In a way only God can work, he received salvation and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior after he graduated. It gets better; he became a pastor, leading a thriving church. It wasn’t always that way, as the church went through its own share of challenges. At one point, the old brazenness resurfaced and gave him the boldness to challenge the county officials that seemed to be unjustifiably withholding needed permits for the church. His new found boldness in Christ and the power of prayer resulted in the permits being issued promptly thereafter. Imagine that! What was once used to terrorize people was now a tool of courage, molded by God and used in beneficial way. This new found boldness for Jesus was apparently evident to many and appreciated by members of the church, as they were able to progress and persevere through difficult times. It also came with God’s reward. A reserved and soft spoken elderly man who attended the church and was rarely noticed, approached my friend and informed him he was led of God to donate land in a prime and sought after location towards the new church building. Hallelujah!
Don’t underestimate what God can do for you and through you. His Word lets us know that if you draw near to Him; He will draw near to you (James 4:8). You can be used mightily in His Kingdom. Make this your heart’s desire, as you submit and yield to His calling and leading! Trust in His perfect plan for you!