He gave me the assignment, but it feels like there’s no way that I can carry it out. I don’t have the talent that I need, God. I don’t have the time that I need, God. And, it’s more than that. His call requires sacrifice…something that never feels good. And His call requires change…something that I am always resistant towards. But if there’s anything that I’ve learned about the call of God, it’s that the answer can only come through denying our own way…it can only come when we are willing to take up His.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. (Matthew 16:24-25 NLT)
Following Jesus will always require sacrifice.
Sacrifice is never easy, and as I said earlier, it never feels good. But, as followers of Jesus, we must understand that sacrifice is absolutely necessary. Why, because we can only walk in purpose His way…we can only do it the way that He intended for it to be done.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)
When God calls us to purpose, He always has an intended way for us to walk in that purpose.
Yes, there might be many ways to do what He asks us to do, but He wants us to follow the one way that He has planned for us. Why? Because His plan includes provision and protection. His plan includes His presence…and that is where we’ll find everything that we need.
I told God long ago that I wanted His plan to prevail in my life. But at the same time, I didn’t have the discipline to do what He was calling me to do…I didn’t have the strength to lay down my way, so that I could take up His. So what did I do? I asked Him to give me what I didn’t have.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
I’m going to be honest and tell you that I don’t always have the desire to do what God asks of me. Sometimes I am lazy. I don’t want to give up the free time that I have. Other times I feel overwhelmed, because His vision is so much bigger than me. There are times when I’ve felt like I’m not qualified, because I literally am not. I’ve never done what He’s asked me to do. How can he expect me to do this? And then, there are times when I’m simply resistant to change. I’m a person that loves plans. I love routine, and change is the opposite of that. So…I have been praying Philippians 2:13.
“Lord, give me the desire and the power to do what pleases you.”
I need God to give me the desire and the power to lay down my laziness. I need Him to enable me to sacrifice my free time, so that I can walk in purpose. I need God to remind me that I don’t have to be overwhelmed, because He will give me the strength and energy to do what He’s called me to do. I need Him to remind me that I don’t need to worry about my qualifications, because He empowers those He calls. I need Him to give me the ability to trust His instructions, even when it means changing my routine and plans. And the amazing thing about our God, is that He always responds to our prayers for help.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalms 46:1 NLT)
I asked Him to give me the desire to do what He wants me to do, and He’s doing just that. He’s giving me a burning desire for His plan, and He’s giving me the power to walk in it.
We can’t set limitations on our situation, if we expect God to move in our situation.
This was a part of my problem. I was expecting God to move within certain parameters, and I was expecting myself to work within certain parameters. And this really hindered my faith that I could do what God was asking me to do. I’d think to myself, well I don’t have this, or I can’t do it because of that. But none of those assumptions are true. If God wants me to do something, He will enable me to do it. My situation is not a limitation to God.
We must take the limits off. We must allow God to show us the way.
This means that we must stop comparing ourselves to others. Yes, they might have been successful that way, but our success is connected to the path that God has laid out for us. This is so important for us to understand, because comparison causes us to place limitations on ourselves. But when we stop comparing ourselves with others, we are open to the path that God has for us.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)
His path for you includes something new.
Our God loves doing new things. He loves blowing our minds with something we’ve never seen before. Maybe it seems like you don’t have what you need, because you don’t have what they have…but He wants to do a new thing through you.
For a moment, I want you to think of everything that stands between you and your purpose.
Is it desire? Maybe you don’t have the desire to lay down your plans so that you can follow His. Is it power? Maybe you feel unqualified. Maybe you feel overwhelmed. Maybe you just don’t like change. Or maybe it’s something else. Maybe you don’t have the time or provisions that you need. Maybe you don’t have the strength or patience that you need.
Whatever you’re lacking, find it in Him.
I want to make this very clear…God will never call you to do something that He won’t equip you for. So if you are lacking in anything, ask for His help. Ask Him to give you the desire that you don’t have. Ask Him to give you the power that you don’t have. Ask Him to give you the provision, the time, and the patience that you don’t have…and then wait on Him.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
As you continually commit yourself to Him, waiting on Him, He will renew your strength. He will remind you of who He’s called you to be. He will remind you that everything that you need is found in Him…it’s found in the place that He’s called you to be. So today, make the decision to lay down your way, so that you can take up His. Allow Him to give you a fresh perspective. Allow Him to give you fresh ideas. Allow Him to show you a new way.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me to purpose. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring you glory. Today, I have been reminded that purpose only comes through sacrifice, but sacrifice is not easy….so I need your help. Holy Spirit, give me the desire and the ability to do what pleases you. Give me the desire to want your plans more than mine. Give me the power to choose my spirit over my flesh. Empower me to walk in purpose today and every day. I declare that I will lean on you. I will wait for you. I will put my hope and faith in you. I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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