The Ministry of Inner-Self
Today’s devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers June 21, was very deep and heady. The kind you have to read and chew on several times to grasp it. Once I did it was still a lot for my human brain to fully grasp but it was enough for an aha moment.
This excerpt somewhat summarizes what message I got from it “The continual inner-searching we do in an effort to see if we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, sickly type of Christianity, not the vigorous and simple life of a child of God...Launch out in reckless, unrestrained belief that the redemption is complete. Then don’t worry anymore about yourself, but begin to do as Jesus Christ has said...How long is it going to take God to free us from the unhealthy habit of thinking only about ourselves? We must get to the point of being sick to death of ourselves...”
I, for one, am very sick of myself...my wants, my shortcomings, my fears...everything that hinders me from doing some real work God calls us to do. Doing real work for Gods glory and the benefit of those he places in my path.
I spend more time trying to get right with God and worrying about being good enough or smart enough to do the ministry He calls me to. But as was stated in the devotional, I must believe that the redeeming work of Christ and the indwelling of the power of His very own Spirit within me has been already been accomplished!
God calls us to go, not to be perfect! We don’t need a seminary degree to understand the Bible fully before we go into all the world and share The Good News! He called us to walk it out in our every day life! To live a life worthy of our calling! Leading and loving by example and sharing what God has done in our life! What God has taught you! Your life experiences and your relationship with God is all you need to reach those He has placed on your path. “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 “...may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. ” Hebrews 13:21
The key is, we can never be good enough for salvation nor good enough to do His ministry apart from Him. It is only through His power that we can accomplish anything good and pure. I’ve spent way too much time reading books and Bible Studies that focus on my inner-self and not enough on how to get up and go!!!
Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t spend time alone with God allowing Him to work some things out in us, but it should not be the main focus. The main focus is allowing Him to work through us so we can go out into the World and be The Good it needs. To be the light that shines in the darkness, pointing a hurting world back to the only source of freedom, joy and peace AND eternal life! We can get up and go while still studying and praying!
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9