Change. Some of us like it, most of us try to grin and bear it and yet others despise it. However you feel about change it’s woven into the fabric of God’s design for His creation.
Things are always changing.
As God would have it there is some major remodeling going on for Betsy and I right now. Obviously with our first child due in May that necessitates change on the home front but there are also some changes ahead for our ministry. Some of them we only sense are coming, others we will be making announcements about in the next few days.
I would love to tell you my initial reaction to these changes has always been unwavering faith but lately my first reaction has been fear. Fears of inadequacy, fears of failure (read inadequacy), fear of letting those around me down (read inadequacy) and the list goes on. When I boil it all down I find my greatest fear is my own inadequacy. My lack of faith is not in God strength to accomplish His purpose but rather in His choice to use me to do it.
I believe God, I just have a hard time believing in myself.
Do you ever feel that way? I think we all feel that way a lot more often than we’d like to admit. It’s important to realize that we’re not alone in the way we feel and that it’s normal to feel that way. In fact it’s not only normal to feel that way, it’s critical that we reach that point.
It is only in truly understanding our deepest inadequacy that we can fully rest in Christ’s all-sufficiency.
The apostle Paul said it like this in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am made strong.”
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but if we want to see the power of Christ most prominently displayed in our lives it means moving closer to openly embracing our weaknesses in spite of the fear and shame that want us to hide them so badly. It means the end of fearing I might be inadequate and actually realizing that I am inadequate apart from Christ for the task He’s called me to. It is then we will learn that His strength really is perfect in our weakness.
What are some of the weaknesses you wrestle with? What are the areas of life where you are most needing God to show Himself strong on your behalf? Are there some practical steps you can take towards trusting God with your struggle?
There is a powerful element in the Rastifari faith that believes that language is a division causing element. The concept of I and You seperates us from each other, and so they try to rephrase it into the idea of I and I.
In my experience this corresponds to Bertrand Russel, the great theological philosopher who claimed that the problem of religion is the division of the I and Thou.
The achievement of the destruction of this division allows us to more fully understand the creation and the creator. It is not us and Him, it is Him and (He that dwells within us). The fear that we feel, the inadaquacies that we suffer from, these things are felt in immediacy by Him.
But…
The accomplishment of success over those fears, the conquering of those inadaquicies is already KNOWN by Him, and because of the I and I relationship, we have that sense of accomplishment.
It is because of the communal aspect of our relationship with Him that we are already relieved of our burdens. It is just up to us to accept it.
I have fears, dreads, doubts, much like everyone else. It is the knowledge that I am not alone in this and that I am not seperated because of it that provides me the strength to keep moving forward into this great plan that we are all a part of.
I hope that this has helped.
Should you ever need to or want to talk, i and i are always here.
-don
I too fear – everyday,,, more than once probably…… but then I remember. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Paul, Grandma, and Me….. Love you!
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen