I don’t know about you, but I am frequently hit with thoughts of “what makes you think you are so special?”
Unlike we tell everyone else, men do not generally wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and see a lion. We look in the mirror and say: “I don’t know how, I don’t know if I am up for it, but this is the job in front of me, let’s go slay that lion”
In 1 Corinthians, Paul takes note of the fact that God specifically did not call those best suited for the job (according to our standards) but He called those to the work’s of God that was willing to show up.
Big words from a man that was undoubtedly an “expert” on religion, but Paul’s own words explains:
”I refused to come as an expert, trying to impress you with my eloquent speech and lofty wisdom. For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed by one topic – Jesus, the crucified Messiah”
(1 Corinthians 2:1-2 TPT)
You see, Paul understood something fundamental: The importance of the message.
He says in verse 3 “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling”(NIV) not because of his inability to talk in front of crowds, or his lack as a teacher, or his shortcomings of authoritative knowledge … but rather because of the importance of the message:
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
(1 Corinthians 2:4–5 NIV)
If God calls you… Show Up.
He called you because you are the right person for the job. (Sometimes he called you early to become prepared for the job.) BUT NEVER because no-one else was available… You are the perfect candidate.
How do we know this? Because it is not about us and our abilities (LOOK my cool guitar! LOOK my big Church), but it is about our obedience and commitment to testify about Jesus and only Jesus. God definitely uses the abilities he gave us, but it is never about the ability only the message!
Maybe you need to testify to one, maybe to 51, maybe to 51,000… depending on where He leads you… but the message remains the same: Faith built on man’s wisdom is no faith at all. God wants a relationship with you.
Be blessed today, and heed that urging by the Spirit to share your testimony.
