I stand in awe of the unending variety of nature, Father! A foggy morning for driving but a beautiful beginning to the day! Blessed be our Awesome Creator God!
Luke 1:26-38 (<<click to read the passage)
Many of us struggle with tasks that seem to be so much bigger than we are…especially when it comes to things that we feel that God is directing us to do. Have you dreamed of things and though there may be a lot of enthusiasm to begin with, after that initial burst of energy and excitement, we put it on the back burner if for whatever reason it doesn’t automatically take off like we thought it would?
My one church has struggled. Their heart is so big…but time and time again they have tried this, that and the other thing to reach those in our community and nothing has clicked…nothing has impacted like they have dreamed it would.
Well, a few years back I had a dream. I dreamed of beginning a specially targeted worship service. The dream was to have a Contemporary Country Music-oriented service that would take place on Saturday night. A well-established Country Music station in the area assured me that their listeners in our area numbered in the 1000s! And we felt that, at least at the time, there was no other church reaching out in that time slot and for sure not to that particular demographic. The church sent me and my family to a church in Pennsylvania that was using this format and was impacting the community in a great way! We were excited about the possibilities!
We took a really good run at it but… It took off, in a way, but not the way it needed to and instead of soaring it crashed and burned. Sadly, we’ve never been able to get it off the ground.
I’ve not given up, mind you, but it just seems insurmountable! The talent needed just seems unattainable.
As I read the study notes from my Life Application Study Bible today, I read this note in relation to Mary’s visit by the angel Gabriel.
“Mary was young, poor, female – all characteristics that, to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task. But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone. You may feel that your ability, experience, or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God’s service. Don’t limit God’s choices. He can use you if you trust Him.”
Now maybe this was for me…but just maybe it was for you. We – you and I – were both created with unique qualities that absolutely no one else in all the world is blessed with. What does God have for you? It may seem insurmountable and unattainable but “don’t limit God’s choices. He can use you if you trust Him”!
Lord Jesus, don’t let us close doors that You have opened. Help us to see the way that You have forged ahead. May we trust You when all seems unattainable! Amen.
