Tracie Miles
"…so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:5-6a (NIV)
So I said to God, "Absolutely not. Is there a plan B?"
That was my answer to God many years ago, when I heard Him impress upon my heart, quite loudly I might add, that He was calling me to speak and write. Until that divine moment, I had never desired to serve in those capacities. Although I served in other areas within my church, I wasn't ready to serve in such a way that would cause me to take risks, make sacrifices, and put my heart on the line for all to see.
Do you remember as a child, when the teacher asked "Who wants to clean the board," or, "Who wants to be the line leader?" All the kids would jump up and raise their hands, while yelling out in unison, "Me! Me! Pick me! Pick me!" Then the teacher would carefully choose someone, and the chosen child would beam with pride as they quickly assumed and carried out their role with great enthusiasm.
I imagine that God wishes we would be a little more like school children at times. As a child, when given a possible opportunity to lead in any capacity, we didn't stop to think how long the act of service would last. We didn't care so much what would be required of us … would it cost us anything, or if there might be something else that we would rather do.
As adults, we tend to over-analyze everything and as a result, we find ourselves procrastinating, which causes our desire to serve to wane. When God called me to be a speaker and writer, I wasted several years trying to pretend that I did not really understand God correctly, or hoping that He would have sympathy for my fears and hesitations and give me an easier task. Oh, how He would have been so pleased if instead I had responded with, "Pick me Lord! Yes, pick me!"
When God calls us into service, often the timeliness of our response is a measure of our faith. Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.
Stepping out in faith requires us to fully rely on God, and not on our own assessments of our abilities. Philippians 4:13 reads "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Do you believe it? Is God is calling you to a task that is beyond what you think you are capable of; one that may require you to make sacrifices and choose God's plans over your own? Are you willing to say, "Pick me!" and then depend on His strength and sovereignty to carry out His will?
Dear Lord, give me ears to hear Your voice and to know when You are calling me to serve. Help me to put my faith in You, and not in my own abilities. Fill me with a desire to serve in whatever way You have ordained for my life, and bless me with the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts that You have equipped me with. Help me to have confidence to move forward in faith because of who You are, not because of who I am. Pick me Lord! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more encouragement about determining God’s will for your life, visit Tracie’s blog
Check out our She Speaks Conference
God’s Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Reflections:
Has God been calling me to a task that I am running from?
What can I do to take that first step towards obedience?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
"…so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:5-6a (NIV)
So I said to God, "Absolutely not. Is there a plan B?"
That was my answer to God many years ago, when I heard Him impress upon my heart, quite loudly I might add, that He was calling me to speak and write. Until that divine moment, I had never desired to serve in those capacities. Although I served in other areas within my church, I wasn't ready to serve in such a way that would cause me to take risks, make sacrifices, and put my heart on the line for all to see.
Do you remember as a child, when the teacher asked "Who wants to clean the board," or, "Who wants to be the line leader?" All the kids would jump up and raise their hands, while yelling out in unison, "Me! Me! Pick me! Pick me!" Then the teacher would carefully choose someone, and the chosen child would beam with pride as they quickly assumed and carried out their role with great enthusiasm.
I imagine that God wishes we would be a little more like school children at times. As a child, when given a possible opportunity to lead in any capacity, we didn't stop to think how long the act of service would last. We didn't care so much what would be required of us … would it cost us anything, or if there might be something else that we would rather do.
As adults, we tend to over-analyze everything and as a result, we find ourselves procrastinating, which causes our desire to serve to wane. When God called me to be a speaker and writer, I wasted several years trying to pretend that I did not really understand God correctly, or hoping that He would have sympathy for my fears and hesitations and give me an easier task. Oh, how He would have been so pleased if instead I had responded with, "Pick me Lord! Yes, pick me!"
When God calls us into service, often the timeliness of our response is a measure of our faith. Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.
Stepping out in faith requires us to fully rely on God, and not on our own assessments of our abilities. Philippians 4:13 reads "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Do you believe it? Is God is calling you to a task that is beyond what you think you are capable of; one that may require you to make sacrifices and choose God's plans over your own? Are you willing to say, "Pick me!" and then depend on His strength and sovereignty to carry out His will?
Dear Lord, give me ears to hear Your voice and to know when You are calling me to serve. Help me to put my faith in You, and not in my own abilities. Fill me with a desire to serve in whatever way You have ordained for my life, and bless me with the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts that You have equipped me with. Help me to have confidence to move forward in faith because of who You are, not because of who I am. Pick me Lord! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
For more encouragement about determining God’s will for your life, visit Tracie’s blog
Check out our She Speaks Conference
God’s Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen
Reflections:
Has God been calling me to a task that I am running from?
What can I do to take that first step towards obedience?
Power Verses:
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Labels: Identity in Christ, Overcoming Fear, Serving, Walking in Faith
7 Comments:
Thank you for the devotion. Just a few weeks ago I participated in a course on finding my place to serve God. But procrastination is my worst enemy. Dear God please help me God help me move forward! Help me break the strongholds of the devil.I rebuke procrastination in the name of Jesus Christ.
THANKS for this. Lately I have been procrastinating about something God asked me NOT to do and this is a good word for me today
This is totally me. Thank you for this encouragement to move forward with God. Lord, just let me trust You and take that step of faith.
Wow! How powerful! Thanks for listening to Him. Pray that I will hear clearly and raise my hand eagerly. It's funny, though how we can even use "hearing from God" as an excuse. When we were kids, we would just raise our hands the second the teacher said, "I need a volunteer."
The whole time I was reading this the words "child like faith" were going through my mind.
This is what I am trying to have. Total dependence,total trust and realize I need Him for everything.
To be able to jump as soon as I feel led, rather than stopping to see how far out of my comfort zone it is going to carry me.
Child like faith to have the curiosity to want to learn and get excited to learn something new.
Child like faith in obedience to come when we are called, rather than saying "I'll do it later."
I pass your encouraging and thought provoking messages on Twitter and sometimes on Facebook! Thank you so so much!
I am struggling now with a job, a family of four kids and husband who farms, and a desire to do something that I am afraid to do. I know you do not know me but please pray for me that I am willing to hear God's voice now and respond to it in full force not fear. Thank you for todays devotion, it was speaking right to me.
Post a Comment
Home