This past weekend I had the pure pleasure of soaking up some vitamin D while watching my husband resurface the dock. It was more work and took a lot longer than either of us anticipated. Also, I’m not a princess, incapable of getting my hands dirty. In fact, I like these kinds of projects and was more than willing to help. The problem was we only had one drill. Had we been better equipped for the project, we could have accomplished the goal much quicker, and his back would n’t be sore.
How often does that happen? We start something and then realize we don’t have the tools we need to do the job the way we intended. Isn’t that the way it often goes with God, as well? He calls us to His purpose, something He needs us to do, and we feel ill equipped to do the job. It can be something big or something small, but fear begins to build within us. It could be as simple as praying with someone, or something big such as participating in mission work. It could be starting a new business, or bringing a meal to someone ill. I love this quote from Rick Warren, “Where God guides, He provides. What He calls you to, He equips. He doesn’t need your strength or willpower, but He does need your commitment.” Hmm, He does need my commitment. I can say whenever I have been asked to pray in a difficult situation, He gives me the words. But it can’t happen without my commitment to follow through.
14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG).
This scripture reminds me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When God calls me to do something simple or something hard, He equips me. He equipped me to write even though I feel completely inadequate about it. He equipped me to bring flowers to friend undergoing chemo and radiation. Weather it is care, compassion, the right words, new skills, or peace in conflict, He is right there with us giving us exactly what we need. For me, it is learning to trust that truth, and lean into it when I start to fear. As soon as I want to turn and run, I need to lean on God, His Word and His promises. Will you join me?
How have you learned to lean on Him and trust that He has equipped you? Share so we can all grow.