Equally Needed

Equally Needed

2 Corinthians 12: I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. ² I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). ^3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. ⁵ So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.

 

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Eloquent speakers, smart thinkers, strong athletes and talented people seemed to “always” be ahead of me when it came to being chosen. I would raise my hand but receive the words “That’s alright, we have already chosen someone else.” “Am I unwanted?” I would ask GOD.

 

• I felt untalented.
• I felt rejected.
• I felt unneeded, undesired, and unpleasant.

 

Paul speaks about his incredible encounter with the LORD. He was sought after by GOD to be a special messenger and was revealed an indescribable vision that catapulted his purpose to the highest level. Even though this uncommon event happened, he did not want anyone to have a higher opinion of him or be jealous of the calling.

 

My Observations

• I need to recognize GOD’s calling on my life.
• I need to look at only my relationship with the LORD and not be jealous of someone else’s.
• I need to live my life with the purpose GOD gave me and know it is just as important as the next person.

 

Titles cause me to think of people on different levels. I mean, when someone has a special title in the world’s eyes, I follow the protocol associated with that title. This may require extra attention I would not give to a “common” person. BUT GOD wants me to treat everyone the same.

 

HE wants me to see that all of us have sinned and fall short of HIS glory. HE then wants me to praise HIM when someone accepts HIS SON as their Savior so he or she can live a life for JESUS. HE wants me to live my life with that same purpose, knowing we are all equally loved by HIM. I am glad GOD loves me just as much as those who are called to do what they do.

 

Challenge

• While reading this passage, do you feel lower than the writer?
• Have you ever compared yourself to the names written in the Bible and felt better or worse?
• Will you consider not comparing yourself to others and know you are loved, needed and wanted to the highest by GOD today?

Usefulness Adjustment

Usefulness Adjustment

1 Corinthians 14: ⁵ I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. ⁶ So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

 

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After being assigned to a group, I quickly felt inadequate. It seemed that each person was smarter than me and knew what they were doing. Meanwhile, I didn’t know what I was doing so I sat quietly waiting for the time to pass by. I dreaded the next time we would get together again.

 

• There have been times when I felt useless.
• There have been times when I felt I was not talented.
• There have been times when I felt like I was on the outside of usefulness.

 

Paul implores the people to focus the use of their GOD given gifts to proclaim GOD’s message. In his example, he mentions the gift of speaking in strange tongues. He compared this gift to proclaiming GOD’s message and said one had “greater” value than another. But Paul used the word “unless” to bring equilibrium to both talents.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to know HE gave me a gift that is special.
• GOD wants me to use my gift to “Proclaim HIS message.”
• GOD wants me to value the gifts other people have so they too can “Proclaim GOD’s message.”

 

Moving the spotlight on “me” is the problem. I mean when I can’t do something well or I feel inadequate, I want to shrink away and be silent. BUT GOD doesn’t want me to feel inadequate. HE wants me and everyone HE made to feel useful.

 

This requires me to move the spotlight on HIM. When I focus everyone’s attention on CHRIST, everything else falls in place. My gift then becomes useful.

 

Challenge

• What do you observe about the comparison of the two gifts mentioned?
• What do you notice about Paul’s preference versus the opening desire?
• How does this apply to your GOD given gift?
• Will you seek to proclaim GOD’s message more and more and know your gift is useful to HIM?

Wanting

Wanting

John 20: ¹¹ But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. ¹² And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹³ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

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Turning over in the warm bed, I woke up with a strange thought. “Why am I so rested?” I glanced at the clock and realized I had overslept. “ now had ten minutes to get dressed and run to the bus. I grabbed my stuff and ran, hoping along the way. With only a few houses to pass, I could see the bus pull off. I would be late. It was raining.

• Sometimes I really want something.
• Sometimes I really desire to get what I want.
• Sometimes I really get upset when I do not get what I want, especially if it is not something “bad” for me.

Mary stood at the tomb weeping. She came to the tomb wanting to see a dead body. Maybe if she saw the dead body enough, she could let go. But there was a problem. JESUS was gone. Two angels asked Mary “Why are you weeping?” as if to say “What do you want?” Mary wanted a dead body.

• GOD wants me to want HIM.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS mighty power.
• GOD wants me to place “my” wants in HIS hands so I can remain calm and get excited over HIS timing and the way HE does things.

Not knowing the big picture, sometimes “my wants” may be misguided. Let’s get back to the bus story. I decided to walk to catch my next connection, one mile away. When I arrived, someone who was driving to the school recognized me and gave me a ride. I arrived early.

Not every problem is a problem. Yes I do not like going through problems, but I have come to understand that something good comes on the other side. Mary would soon find out that she should not want a dead body, rather a risen Savior. I do not know what today brings but I want what GOD wants.

• What do you want?
• Do you desire for everything in your life to be smooth and without problems?
• Will you give your “wants” over to GOD and allow HIM to show you HIS plan HE has for you today?

Past No Longer Counts

Isaiah 55: ⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Reading the Bible made me more aware of my sins. I started dropping one sin off after another in a quest to be perfect. Every now and then I would do or say something that I knew was a sin. When things went wrong, I would immaturely say “I will never do that again!” After a while I stopped asking for forgiveness because when I dropped one sin, another would pop up. It seemed I could not be as “sinless” as I thought.

• At one time I thought I could be sinless.
• At one time I thought I could be perfect.
• At one time I thought I could drop all my sins and everything would go well for me because of “my” perfection.

Steering GOD by being “sinless” to gain wealth and status was my plan. I mean HE wanted me to not be sinful and it says righteous people will be rich, right? Yes, sort of… Wealth may not be monetary and is extremely relative. GOD’s wealth is in humans and besides, HE cannot be manipulated by my filthy righteousness. I thoroughly missed the understanding of what it meant to truly be forgiven.

• GOD says to me “MY thoughts are not your thoughts” meaning I may think HE cannot possibly forgive me “this” time and HE truly can.
• GOD says to me “MY ways are not your ways” meaning when I feel like giving up, GOD stays steady.
• GOD says to me “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” meaning when I worry or doubt HE does not.

GOD declares my efforts at being “righteous” as a dung pile. One reason is I am measuring myself to my own standards, not HIS. I then go to far in the other direction, thinking I cannot possibly be forgiven. GOD says “I forgive you” plain and simple. HIS forgiveness is entirely misunderstood. I do not have to “do” so much rather just “be.” GOD is my fortress.

• Do you keep pointing in the past for where you are today?
• Are you stuck in a place where you think you are being punished by GOD?
• Can you allow HIM to open your eyes to HIS everlasting and marvelous grace?
• Will you place a little of your trust in HIM today?

You are Doing Well

Isaiah 3: ¹⁰ Tell the righteous it will be well with them,
    for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

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Sometimes I just have to say to myself, “You are doing well” just to keep things into perspective. The world has a standard that is ever changing and a dream that is insatiable. In this world of “inadequacy labeling” and positioning for riches, power and fame, I sometimes feel lower than the low. Then someone said, “You are good at…” and that’s all I needed to hear.

• GOD says to me “I made you perfect for the plan I have for you.”
• GOD says to me “I will bring many to you if you would follow MY path.”
• GOD says to me “I love you more than anyone could.”

Living amongst greedy, power hungry people makes me want to do the same. BUT GOD says hold fast onto MY ways and I will reward you for it. Following GOD is easily shown by the fruit I have in my life. I praise GOD for blessing me!

Are you trying to change?

Do you think you are inadequate?

Can you focus on the purpose GOD has given you?

Will you see yourself as righteous only because GOD has done marvelous things for you?

Keep Going!

Ecclesiastes 10: ¹⁰ If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

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Confusion filled my face as my boss tried to give me instructions on what to do. I did not know how to program and my first job was a programmer. I sat at my desk with a couple of books and read them cover to cover.

Meanwhile I could hear the murmurs of my boss feeling they had made a mistake hiring me. Eventually I learned what I was supposed to do and I gained confidence. Even later, I learned more and more and became one of the best in the department.

• There have been many times when I was in over my head.
• There have been many times when I did not know what to do.
• There have been many times when I felt overwhelmed and simply lost.

Embarrassment was how I felt by not knowing what to do. I did not even consider they could fire me. I stayed up until two or three in the morning trying to make things work until I got it right.

• GOD blessed me to be put in positions where people were patient with my folly.
• GOD blessed me to have opportunities that I could not brag about “my” skills.
• GOD blessed me to be protected from those who lost their patience with me so I could keep going.

Giving up would have been easy then. No one was willing to help me since I was supposed to be this great asset to the company yet I was a detriment at the time. BUT GOD had me “keep going” until I learned what HE wanted me to learn. With HIS intervention I grew up.

• Are you facing something large?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you stop looking at the big picture and look only at today’s accomplishments?
• Will you ask GOD to give you the energy to keep going?