Apophatica

One of the biggest reasons for not achieving the tasks or reaching the goals that we set for ourselves is a lack of confidence. We hear that little devil on our shoulder telling us that we cannot achieve what we have set out to do and that we are doomed to fail. Unfortunately, the little angel on the other shoulder isn’t loud enough in telling us that we CAN do it. We always have the “yeah buts”. Every time we think that we have reached a point where we have all the answers and are confident and ready to go, a little voice says “yeah but” and gives us some excuse as to why our idea could never work or at least not work in the way that we envision it.

When we are doing something for our own good, it is often difficult to get going. That is why it is helpful to remember that it is not only pastors who are called. There is a priesthood of ALL believers and each Christian is called to mission to bring about God’s kingdom in different ways. This can be done through our work and does not always mean volunteering (although sometimes it does). If we can each find our calling – what it is that God wants us to do to bring good news to the poor, heal the sick, etc. – then our endeavors and goals will take on a whole new meaning. When this happens, we see our goals as not for our own gratification, but rather as a duty to God. It’s always easier to be complacent when something is for our own good, but when it is commanded by God it’s a little harder to ignore!

Throughout the Bible, God has called people who were reluctant or who felt inadequate. Moses didn’t feel he could speak well enough to convince the Pharoah to let the Israelites out of Egypt, Isaiah felt he was unclean, Jeremiah didn’t think he had what it takes, and Jonah just plain did NOT want to go to Ninevah because he knew there would be repentance and he didn’t want that. It has almost become cliched, but God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. If we realize our calling, accept it, and then take the first step with faith in God and compassion toward our fellow humans, then our work WILL be blessed and we WILL succeed!

I pray blessings and strength over everyone today and pray that God makes your calling clear. Some of us already know what that calling is but are still frozen in place . . . 🙂 You’ve been called by God to a great work, now let’s go!!!

“And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” Phil. 1:6

This entry was posted on March 29, 2011 at 6:21 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.