Today i want to share something that kinda has been hovering in my mind for a while and its the topic of being useful to God. When can we truly say with certainty that we have been useful to God? Are there limits that impede God from using us? What are the rewards of being obedient and listening to his calling? And i began to look into it and found some things i want to share with you guys.
In the scriptures, a perfect example of a calling is Jeremiah. Jeremiah was called at such a young age that he found himself not capable of serving God at great lengths. Jeremiah 1:6 easy "Sovereign Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Many time, like Jeremiah, we may find ourselves intimidated by our calling, maybe feel unworthy, or simply afraid to go out and do what the Lord tells us to. Our own fear or pride might get in the way of Gods purpose but we must look beyond what we see. He says to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” As shown in Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us. He says But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uprootand tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Furthermore, if the Lord calls, he will back us up. We must never think that the Lord will call us to leave us ashamed. Romans 10:11 says "For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame" The Lord gives us confidence and reassurance that if we believe in him we will not be put to shame because he will be by our side.
One thing that can be noticed throughout the scriptures is that the Lord doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. In many instances, we can see that the Lord chooses those who seem to be in the lowest positions to be of use to him. As mentioned in a post a while ago, the samaritan women is a clear example of how God has no exception. He's not looking for the most intellectual or for the one with the most money to serve him, what he's looking for is a humble heart who is willing and accepting. The Samaritan women wasn't the best role model yet she was of use to God and he was able to have her serve him water. As well as David. He was the least favored in his family, he wasn't qualified. He was simply the keeper of the sheep but God found him capable. He then became of great statue to the people; he was king. God will not give you a manual or steps on how to be a good singer or a good preacher, its all in your relationship with him. He will guide you and he will qualify you! Moses aswell felt unqualified to guide the people of Egypt it says in Exodus 4:10-12 "But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” The Lord makes it clear that it will not be us, but him instead.
Heres a little story. My congregation is part of this big council and they have churches all over the place. Theres an annual youth camp during the summer where all the churches come together and there are 500+ youth who attend. In my church i sing all the time, i am part of the choir and hold a pretty important position in it (to God be the glory). There is also a national Choir which is composed of a bunch of people from all the different churches and they sing in big events like the camps and conventions. My music leader had signed me up (honestly didn't want to be a part of it) and this meant that ultimately i have to sing in events like those, yikes! In order to sing in big event you must be promoted by the choir director otherwise you just sing with the whole choir (100+ people) in special ocassions I had never attended one rehearsal and the choir director doesn't even know me but by the grace of God i was promoted. I was asked to sing at camp and i was terrified. I had to lead a song that I've sang so many times but it felt like the first time. I felt like saying no but God gave me the talent of singing and i will use it for his glory. I was scared to death but when i got up there and began to sing, i was confident because i wasn't doing it for my glory but instead to lift his name higher. He backed me up through it all and all my nerves ceased as i stepped on the stage. I was able to praise him with all i have and see the consequence of that reflected on the crowd. GOD IS GOOD!
In the scriptures, a perfect example of a calling is Jeremiah. Jeremiah was called at such a young age that he found himself not capable of serving God at great lengths. Jeremiah 1:6 easy "Sovereign Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Many time, like Jeremiah, we may find ourselves intimidated by our calling, maybe feel unworthy, or simply afraid to go out and do what the Lord tells us to. Our own fear or pride might get in the way of Gods purpose but we must look beyond what we see. He says to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” As shown in Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us. He says But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uprootand tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Furthermore, if the Lord calls, he will back us up. We must never think that the Lord will call us to leave us ashamed. Romans 10:11 says "For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame" The Lord gives us confidence and reassurance that if we believe in him we will not be put to shame because he will be by our side.
One thing that can be noticed throughout the scriptures is that the Lord doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called. In many instances, we can see that the Lord chooses those who seem to be in the lowest positions to be of use to him. As mentioned in a post a while ago, the samaritan women is a clear example of how God has no exception. He's not looking for the most intellectual or for the one with the most money to serve him, what he's looking for is a humble heart who is willing and accepting. The Samaritan women wasn't the best role model yet she was of use to God and he was able to have her serve him water. As well as David. He was the least favored in his family, he wasn't qualified. He was simply the keeper of the sheep but God found him capable. He then became of great statue to the people; he was king. God will not give you a manual or steps on how to be a good singer or a good preacher, its all in your relationship with him. He will guide you and he will qualify you! Moses aswell felt unqualified to guide the people of Egypt it says in Exodus 4:10-12 "But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” The Lord makes it clear that it will not be us, but him instead.
Psalm 40:2 says "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand" The Lord lifts from low places and sets us high like kings.
Heres a little story. My congregation is part of this big council and they have churches all over the place. Theres an annual youth camp during the summer where all the churches come together and there are 500+ youth who attend. In my church i sing all the time, i am part of the choir and hold a pretty important position in it (to God be the glory). There is also a national Choir which is composed of a bunch of people from all the different churches and they sing in big events like the camps and conventions. My music leader had signed me up (honestly didn't want to be a part of it) and this meant that ultimately i have to sing in events like those, yikes! In order to sing in big event you must be promoted by the choir director otherwise you just sing with the whole choir (100+ people) in special ocassions I had never attended one rehearsal and the choir director doesn't even know me but by the grace of God i was promoted. I was asked to sing at camp and i was terrified. I had to lead a song that I've sang so many times but it felt like the first time. I felt like saying no but God gave me the talent of singing and i will use it for his glory. I was scared to death but when i got up there and began to sing, i was confident because i wasn't doing it for my glory but instead to lift his name higher. He backed me up through it all and all my nerves ceased as i stepped on the stage. I was able to praise him with all i have and see the consequence of that reflected on the crowd. GOD IS GOOD!
Dear God, please help me to trust you and to know that even if I'm scared that you will be with when you call me. Don't allow for my fear, my own plans, desires, and pride, get in the way of the plan you have in my life. I want to be useful to you, mold me, clean me and allow me to come to you just as i am, so i may be transformed by the power of your name and make myself useful to you. In the Holy name of Jesus i pray, Amen.
