From the Inside Out

As the new year makes its entrance, a fresh breeze of possibilities and dreams fills the mind:

• Perhaps this year…

• Wouldn’t it be wonderful if…

• All things are possible with God, so…

But no sooner do I start finishing those statements with starry-eyed optimism, than some scratchy, irritating thoughts demand my attention.  Thoughts such as:

• You’re too old, terribly unworthy, and under-qualified.

• You’ve already waited so long. Your dream obviously isn’t God’s dream for you. How could you have missed it so completely?

• You are wasting your time. You don’t even know what God wants. HA!

And my heart cries out: I need your Word, God, your Sword of the Spirit, to slay these lies. And though I am grateful for familiar sword-strokes such as Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, and Philippians 4:13, to wield against the untruths listed above, a few new moves would surely strengthen my resolve. “Strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28b).

Alright, Nancy, let’s look at each statement from my viewpoint.

You are too old? Not so. Moses was eighty when he became the leader of the Hebrew nation, bringing them out of Egypt and into Canaan. Daniel served as prime minister in Babylon well past the age of eighty. John was quite elderly when he received the Revelation. Age has nothing to do with usefulness.

You are unworthy? Also not so. You are one of My chosen people, a royal priestess, who belongs to me, the King of the universe (1 Peter 2:9a). You are precious and honored in my sight because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).

You are under-qualified? All the better for my purposes! My G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) includes wisdom, power, strength, discernment, all spiritual gifts, all fruit of the Spirit, ad infinitum. My grace is more than sufficient for you; it’s all you need. “My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, The Message).

You have waited too long? Think again. Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac. Joseph waited seventeen years for his dream to come true. Caleb waited 45 years for his special parcel of the Promised Land.

You are wasting your time? Please refer to Ephesians 1:11. You have been chosen. I have put into place a plan that will accomplish my will. Your singular purpose is to display my glory, that is, my attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and more. Wherever you are. ..“whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).

One closing thought to keep in mind: Joseph would never have been an effective leader without training in humility and trust. Rest assured there is method and reason to every choice I make. I AM the almighty, all-wise God, your Heavenly Father.