I ended my last post briefly talking about how God uses us when we think we are unusable. I was thinking about what that looks like. I have found that when we think we are unusable God uses us and we grow in Him tremendously. In those times we are forced to rely on him and live out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We must be in constant prayer and thank God for what He is and can do in us. So what should we do when we think we are unusable? How have people in the bible responded to similar situations?
I had a friend call me last night, and he was telling me how he was really wondering if what he was doing was what God wanted him to do. I had talked to him numerous times about what he was studying at school and what he was doing to share the love of Christ. When talking to him he was always extremely passionate about what he was studying and doing. He is one of my closest friends and a strong man of God. Hearing this from him however did not surprise me because I had thought the same things not too long ago. Everyone goes through this many times throughout life. I think this is the devil trying to derail us from God's plan for us. Even if we continue to do what we know is right but we have doubts about it, we will not be able to fully honor God. This is one of the many ways the devil distracts us form doing the work of God. My friend was feeling unusable at this point because the devil had put these negative ideas in his head. I was there to speak truth into him and reassure him that he is glorifying God by doing what he is passionate about while gaining influence with people so he can share the gospel. He may have been wondering who he was to take on such a task, but he is not the first. Moses had the same concerns and even felt he was not the best person for the job (unusable).
I was doing some quiet time and studying Exodus 3 when God speaks to Moses and tells him to go to Pharaoh to free the Israelites. When God tells Moses to do this he responds with "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). I do this all the time! Who am I to do such great things? The answer, I am no one without Christ. It is only through Christ I have these opportunities, and I must rely on him to do these things. God responds to Moses in verse 12. And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain" (Exodus 3:12). In the end God delivers the Israelites from Egypt. All of this because Moses trusted God, and Moses did what God asked of him.
When we question if we are usable or not we should first seek God. We are here for no other reason than to make His name great and worship Him! You may say that you feel like God can not use you where you, but you can be used where ever you are when ever as long as you are open to God's instruction. We have all been given gifts from God, and we must use them to share His love with everyone we come in contact with. In Romans, Paul tells the Romans, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8). Everyone has gifts from God and you must discover what these gifts are to apply them to your daily life. All of these gifts Paul listed can be used on a daily basis no matter where you are. You can use these gifts in the workplace, a sports team, or at your school. Paul talks about these gifts again in 1 Corinthians 12, as well as how they are all distributed by the same spirit. God uses all these gifts together to glorify him. Though people have different gifts we must not discount one versus another. Paul uses this metaphor to explain how every gift has an important place in God's overall plan: "Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" (1 Corinthians 12:15-18). God has strategically placed all of us in the position or situation we are in for a reason. We are surrounded with people with all kinds of different gifts. By using our gifts we will inspire and encourage others to use their gifts as well.
I really want to end all of these posts with a challenge. For this post, I want to challenge you to spend time reading Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 and spend time talking with God about what gifts he has given you. When you find out what gifts you have, use them. Intentionally put yourself in situations to use these gifts to the fullest potential.
There was alot more I wanted to write on this but at this time I have other things I need to work on. Maybe there will be a part two. Also, please ignore all spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as all my incomplete thoughts.
Always Rambling,
Jonathan
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