Clay in the Hands

Last night at church, we talked about God’s power.  We looked at what Paul faced throughout his ministry.  We know, from reading in the Book of Acts and the letters Paul wrote, that he was an amazing giant in the faith.  He endured persecution and imprisonment, he was ship wrecked on the way to share the Gospel, he was rejected and beaten by different villages.  He endured all kinds of challenges but never once do we see in the New Testament that he was deterred from following through with what God had asked him to do.

I find it interesting that Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12 talks about his weakness.  You can read about it here.

We are not told what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was but there is no denying that Paul felt that it rendered him weak when it came to following what God had for him.  He asked God three times to remove it.  God answered by saying, “No – it is through your weakness that my strength comes through.”

Is God able to show strength through your weakness?  Have you thought about it?

God created you to be capable of doing many things.  But maybe you have thought to yourself, “If I just had more training, I could lead that small group.”  Or maybe you have thought, “Once I retire, I will have more time to do what I know I should be doing for God.”

What I find in myself is that I tend to work within what I deem to be my strengths.  I feel I know what God has gifted me to do and so I strive to make the most of it.  This approach is Biblical and I feel it is what God would have us do.  But I am left with the question, “What am I attempting to do today that if God does not show up, I will fail?”

Are you planning on attempting to do something today that is a little out of your comfort zone?

When we take the first step to venture out beyond our comfort zone, that is when God can do his best work.

Venture out today.

Yesterday I told you about José and how he serves, day in and day out, in the middle of all the violence in Juarez, Mexico.  As we talked on Monday evening, I was challenged to look at the price I pay to follow Jesus.  I had to admit, it isn’t very high.  But I was also challenged to think about how much more I should be doing since I don’t have to deal with the stress of wondering if I will be gunned down in the next hour or two.

Then today, these were the verses I meditated on from Psalm 46:

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

Two things jumped out at me.  The first is that no matter what struggles or threats we might be dealing with today, God is present – ever-present!  God is our refuge; our safe place to hide and take cover.  There is comfort in knowing that God is ever-present and ready to protect us.

But the second thing I noticed in this passage is that God is our strength.  With the strength of God on our side – there is nothing we cannot endure and accomplish.  Sometimes the most crucial things in life, come out of very trying times.  God gives us the strength to experience those times.  The psalmist says, even if the earth gives way and even if the mountains fall off into the ocean, God is still in control and present – we have nothing to fear.

So – – my challenge today?  Today, we live with boldness!  Regardless of where you sit today.  Regardless of what you might be dealing with today.  Have no fear – God is ever-present!  Go out with boldness and make an impact for the Kingdom today!  That is what being a follower in the Way is all about.

Be blessed!