Be Real

I'm working through a Bible Study by someone who has written many that I've studied before, however, this one is different. All of the ones before were easier for me to comprehend and follow. They weren't full of big fancy words I didn't understand or eloquent speech that didn't flow naturally...just real and beautiful! However, this one is very eloquently written and has a lot of new words I am not able to either understand or relate to naturally. It does give me the opportunity to pray and rely on God to help me comprehend what I am studying. So, please don't get me wrong, I'm not writing to complain about it and I am still learning a lot from it. My purpose is to share what I'm learning through this, that it's important for me to stay real and relatable. I tend to be overly critical of my self and think maybe I should go to school to learn how write more eloquent devotionals and to take speaking classes so I can speak in front of a crowd without getting so nervous and stuttering or using the word "Um" continually. However, every time I try to enroll in a Bible College, the doors just keep closing. It was frustrating but there was a peace about it each time, because I felt in my heart that God wanted me to stay relatable to everyone, right where they are intellectually and spiritually. To remain humble, flawed and real. It reminds me of Moses' conversation with God when God asked Him to speak to the Israelites in Exodus 4:10-12 "Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” God can accomplish so much more through us, when we remain humble and dependent on Him, because of our weaknesses. "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) I must rely on God to work through me, and I will improve over time, His time. "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) It doesn't mean I get careless and sloppy, but that I focus more on sharing God's Word with those seeking Him. To step into their struggles with them, rather than standing over them speaking at them. I'm reminded that I am not called to please the critics and the scholars but instead called to speak to the broken and hurting! Those who are seeking a forgiving God, full of grace and love! "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, (Luke 4:18) "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds."(Psalm 147:3) So I encourage you to "...be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9) and to follow where the Lord is leading you, leading all of us to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15)