One of the things I struggle with in getting involved is that I have the habit of looking at myself in comparison to others. I see others who are much more gifted than I, and it causes me to hold back. I make excuses. That I am not the best speaker, that I don't know enough, my prayers aren't the best or I am not comfortable praying for others.
If we spend too much time comparing ourselves to others, we will find many excuses as to why we wont get involved in ministries. There's many reasons we can find. Why we can't do something as opposed to why we can. Are we fearful? Uncertain? Afraid of making mistakes? Worried that we will push people away from God because of our errors? The truth is that we will not always get it right. We will blunder and make errors in judgment. These are not excuses to prevent us, but rather the blunt reality of life. One can go through the bible and find people who weren't the best or had dubious qualities. Yet, God had no problems working through them to work His will.
Keep in mind also, that we are all not equally gifted. Some of us are better preachers and teachers. Others have a real heart for ministering to the poor or children. People feel a call to international missions, while others don't. This doesn't make any one person better than another. Each and every person has a part to play in the kingdom. Everybody has an opportunity to play.
It all depends on where and when God calls us. God places us in different positions to most effectively use us for the purposes of the kingdom.
Just like the Think body, every person making up the body of Christ has a different role. Not all of us can be eyes, or ears, or arms, or legs. The body is not one big eye (silly as that would look). But, each part of the body fulfills an essential function. They have to work well together to ensure that the body remains healthy. If the lungs fail to breathe in oxygen, other body parts will die. If the blood doesn't flow properly, other body parts would die. If the eyes couldn't see or the ears couldn't hear, how would the body be able to react? Think of every body part you have, from the largest to the smallest, and imagine if even one failed to work properly. How that would affect every other aspect of the body.
So, we all have a vital role. Not one part is useless and insignificant. Therefore, we shouldn't concern ourselves with what we don't have or if we compare unfavorably to other people. That way of thinking only leads to pessimism and low self-esteem. Spending too much time beating ourselves up, does not allow us to see what God is doing for us. We tend to focus on what we don't have instead of what we do have. Human nature but it is wrong.
I'm no preacher. But I will if I am called to it. I don't know the bible as well as I would like, but I will teach a bible study if asked. My musical talent is nonexistent, but if asked... well OK I draw the line there.
The point is if we are called or asked, our response should be yes. God would not call us to do something if He wasn't also going to provide for it as well. In India, I was asked to give a testimony. I was nervous, as being in front of a group is not my favorite place to be. Just before the moment, God calmed my fears and gave me the right words to say. Afterwards, others commented what a powerful testimony I had given. That wasn't me. Not even close. God worked His power through me and gave the right words to say. If I had spent time worrying about comparing myself to those "better" than me, I might not have been blessed at all.
God would still have gotten out His message with or without my participation. He doesn't need me to make His kingdom move. He chose me and you to do His works through and that blesses me immensely.
We are all chosen regardless of "qualifications". When Jesus or God commands in the Bible, there are no qualifiers. Jesus said "Go and make witnesses". He didn't say those of you good at evangelism and prayer go make witnesses. He told all of us, no exceptions. God uses those that are willing, not the qualified. Because none of us are truly qualified and able. Just be available and willing - and let God do the rest.
If we spend too much time comparing ourselves to others, we will find many excuses as to why we wont get involved in ministries. There's many reasons we can find. Why we can't do something as opposed to why we can. Are we fearful? Uncertain? Afraid of making mistakes? Worried that we will push people away from God because of our errors? The truth is that we will not always get it right. We will blunder and make errors in judgment. These are not excuses to prevent us, but rather the blunt reality of life. One can go through the bible and find people who weren't the best or had dubious qualities. Yet, God had no problems working through them to work His will.
Keep in mind also, that we are all not equally gifted. Some of us are better preachers and teachers. Others have a real heart for ministering to the poor or children. People feel a call to international missions, while others don't. This doesn't make any one person better than another. Each and every person has a part to play in the kingdom. Everybody has an opportunity to play.
It all depends on where and when God calls us. God places us in different positions to most effectively use us for the purposes of the kingdom.
Just like the Think body, every person making up the body of Christ has a different role. Not all of us can be eyes, or ears, or arms, or legs. The body is not one big eye (silly as that would look). But, each part of the body fulfills an essential function. They have to work well together to ensure that the body remains healthy. If the lungs fail to breathe in oxygen, other body parts will die. If the blood doesn't flow properly, other body parts would die. If the eyes couldn't see or the ears couldn't hear, how would the body be able to react? Think of every body part you have, from the largest to the smallest, and imagine if even one failed to work properly. How that would affect every other aspect of the body.
So, we all have a vital role. Not one part is useless and insignificant. Therefore, we shouldn't concern ourselves with what we don't have or if we compare unfavorably to other people. That way of thinking only leads to pessimism and low self-esteem. Spending too much time beating ourselves up, does not allow us to see what God is doing for us. We tend to focus on what we don't have instead of what we do have. Human nature but it is wrong.
I'm no preacher. But I will if I am called to it. I don't know the bible as well as I would like, but I will teach a bible study if asked. My musical talent is nonexistent, but if asked... well OK I draw the line there.
The point is if we are called or asked, our response should be yes. God would not call us to do something if He wasn't also going to provide for it as well. In India, I was asked to give a testimony. I was nervous, as being in front of a group is not my favorite place to be. Just before the moment, God calmed my fears and gave me the right words to say. Afterwards, others commented what a powerful testimony I had given. That wasn't me. Not even close. God worked His power through me and gave the right words to say. If I had spent time worrying about comparing myself to those "better" than me, I might not have been blessed at all.
God would still have gotten out His message with or without my participation. He doesn't need me to make His kingdom move. He chose me and you to do His works through and that blesses me immensely.
We are all chosen regardless of "qualifications". When Jesus or God commands in the Bible, there are no qualifiers. Jesus said "Go and make witnesses". He didn't say those of you good at evangelism and prayer go make witnesses. He told all of us, no exceptions. God uses those that are willing, not the qualified. Because none of us are truly qualified and able. Just be available and willing - and let God do the rest.
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