Too often our focus is on
doing something for
God. If we don't let the Holy Spirit guide us, however, we may be knocking on
the wrong door. Remember Israel? "Well, when Israel tried to be right with God
on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn't succeed." (Romans 11:7,
MSG)
It isn’t us
doing something for God; rather, it's
the other way around! God pursues us.
He is the One who can show us exactly how
to have an impact in our neighborhoods: "The chosen
ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result
received his stamp of legitimacy." (Romans 11:8, MSG)
We are not the ones who can make an impact to others.
Only our Father can do this. Only through Him can we touch others deeply:
"Everything comes from Him; Everything happens through Him; Everything end up in
Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes, yes, yes." (Romans 11: 36, MSG)
When I was younger, I often erred in this aspect. I
tried to be a witness for God, but in so doing, I often missed out on what my
Father really wanted me to do. All of us, after all, have different God-given
talents. While I was trying to
do something
for God, my own-interests and abilities got in
the way! Let me illustrate it like this: If someone needs surgery for a
defective heart, I would never be able to do that surgery. Even the thought
would leave all of us shaking in fear. However, I can pray for the surgeon as
well as for the person with the defective heart, collaborating with the One who
can truly heal.
I eventually learned to pray for directions from My
Father, and one day I heard the Holy Spirit inspiring me to start an online
prayer ministry. Interestingly enough, I had no idea how to do this. That was by
design, however. If we are given something that is too easy, we may not listen
for our Father or seek His help and guidance. Rather, when He gives something
that is impossible to do on our own, we have no choice but to depend solely upon
Him.
"Ask and you will receive." (Matt 7:7, NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.