ABILITIES AND LIABILITIES

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child – Jeremiah 1:6

“UNIQUE PURPOSE has been built into our being and we’re endowed with all the special aptitudes which that purpose demands. God has SHAPED us for our DESTINY, storing up in us all that He knew would be required for our life-work. There is no condition for which He has not made provision and no faculty which sooner or later will not have its proper exercise and use.

This means that all our ABILITIES are a gift from God to be put to use to His intended use. A superior intellect, a powerful and well-coordinated body, an engaging personality, a quick wit – all are GIFTS that make us more useful.

But that also means that our so-called LIABILITIES are part of God’s plan …Our flaws, defects, imperfections, faults and other contradictions are part of the unique creation God imagined, made and set apart for the particular work He has in mind.

So you’re not tall, dark and handsome. So you’re not a bundle of energy and dynamism. So you’re not the most scintillating and articulate guy around. No matter. Remember Moses? “O 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 man his mouth?… Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:10-12).

Your LIMITATIONS are a gift from God and part of His preparation for your work. Through His creative skill and His ongoing grace your limits can become the means by which God uses you to touch others in singular and uncommon ways. All of which means that you must not despise God’s GIFTS, nor should you desire another’s giftedness. Other people’s gifts, whatever they are, are not necessary for the work God has called you to do. It’s enough for you to know that God has a unique plan for you and that He has made you one-of-a-kind to complete His plan. Remember Peter’s question: “Lord, what about him?” (pointing to the apostle John). But Jesus replied, “What is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:21-22).

Life is necessarily lived piecemeal, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to discern in advance the unique work God has for you. You must know, however, that God does have a SPECIAL WORK for you to do and that you are God’s SPECIAL CREATION to implement that work…

“But,” you ask, “How will I know my work? How will I find that particular purpose for which I’m intended?” Hear what God said to Jeremiah: “God to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you” (Jeremiah 1:7-18).

God’s call is first a call to follow Him in OBEDIENCE – to go each day where He wants you to go and say what He wants you to say. It is only as you look back over the path of obedience that you’ll see what God has been doing with you all along. His plan is always better seen in retrospect that in prospect.

God has called you to a Great Adventure. Follow Him in obedience – do the very next thing He asks you to do – and see what happens!”