What Can God Do With Me?
What Can God Do with Me?
Have you ever felt God calling you to something? How did you react? Did you cautiously tiptoe toward the calling or zealously run out in front of the calling? Maybe your mind compared your qualifications and skill set with the assignment, only to determine that you don’t have what it takes. Perhaps your heart leapt for joy at the prospect of being called to do something in ministry. The moment quickly turned from joy to sadness as your mind replayed the ticker tape of all the times you’ve failed and every fault that previously held you back from success. A sick feeling rushes from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, and fear overtakes your thoughts. The two messages—God’s calling vs. your cringing—compete for your belief and bounce back and forth like a ping-pong match. Can God really use me? Why would He call me when He knows XYZ?
Have you experienced any or all of what I’m describing? Then you are in good company.
If you survey the Who’s Who of the Movers and Shakers of the Bible, you will discover they felt the same way as you and me. In fact, God has a history of selecting individuals who feel weak, underqualified, not qualified, and unworthy. He specializes in using the underdog—the least likely to succeed—to accomplish His purposes. Go ahead, let out a big sigh of relief. You and I get to rub elbows with the likes of some of the greats, people who shied away from the invitation to be part of God’s incredible narrative. Let’s take a quick look at some of the Bible’s most notable individuals and their responses to God’s calling on their lives.
- Saul’s response to being appointed Israel’s first king was this: “So they asked the Lord, ‘Where is he?’ And the Lord replied, ‘He is hiding among the baggage’” (1 Sam. 10:22).
- Jonah’s response to being God’s messenger to the people of Nineveh was this: “But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish” (Jon. 1:3).
- Jeremiah’s response to being called a prophet to the people of Israel was this: “‘O Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!’” (Jer. 1:6).
- Moses’s response to being called as the deliverer of God’s people from Egypt was this: “But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’” (Exod. 3:11).
Feel a little bit better now? I know I sure do. I’ll be honest with you. When God whispered His call of ministry to me while sitting in a sea of several hundred women at a speakers’ and writers’ conference, I figuratively put my fingers in my ears and bellowed a soft, but very spiritually polite, la-la-la-la-la-la. In between the la-las, I respectfully ran down the list of all the reasons why God had most certainly made a mistake.
I haven’t been to seminary. I don’t know all the books of the Bible, and where is Ezra anyway? I’m a mom of two young children. I only have a degree in Elementary Education. The Bible is so hard to understand. And those blanks I fill in for Bible study, I mostly make up the answers because I don’t want to come to class with no answers.
You know what I learned about God during this denial process? I learned that God is strong enough to take my uncertainties. He is more than capable of processing my feelings with me. I learned He wants my availability, not my abilities. He looks for an individual who would say yes to a great God who saw potential in her even if she couldn’t see it herself. God can do a lot with a heart that surrenders to Him.
Here’s the thing: we don’t have to believe in our potential, we just have to believe in the God who sees our potential. God doesn’t care that you failed a thousand times before. He’s not concerned that you don’t have a higher education. He’s willing to help you overcome the faults that bring you down and the fear that keeps you up at night. He’s the God who sees, El Roi. Just as He saw Hagar, Sarah’s mistreated maidservant who ran off to the wilderness, as a worthwhile possibility and valuable, He sees you that way too.
Dictionary.com defines potential as “present but not yet visible, apparent, or actualized, excellence or ability that may or may not be developed; possible, as opposed to actual.” A person with potential is someone who is a worthwhile possibility. Despite our fears, faults, failures, and frailties, God sees all His children through the same lens, the lens of potential. Our potential is present, but may not be visible; possible, but may not be actual. In Christ we are a worthwhile possibility. God can see our potential even when we can’t.
You are a worthwhile possibility to God, full of potential, waiting to be revealed. God wants to reveal what He can do through you. He’s the Creator of the universe. He’s famous for taking the old and making them new. He longs to do new in you: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isa. 43:19). He did a new thing in the lives of many people, some people you have probably heard of:
Person Potential
Sara was impatient. Mother to Isaac, who fathered Esau and Jacob.
Jacob was a cheater. Father of the twelve tribes of Israel, God’s people.
David had an affair. A great king of Israel and a man after God’s own heart.
Peter had a temper. Leader and speaker, spreading the Christian faith.
Paul was a murderer. Greatest evangelist of all time.
Allow Him to pick up the pieces of your faith that has been fractured by failures, splintered by frailties, overshadowed by fear, and silenced by faults. Let Him show you what He can do with a heart surrendered. God may not call you to deliver a nation from bondage, but I promise what He has in store for you is no less significant to the advancement of His kingdom.
Never forget. You are a worthwhile possibility … He hasn’t forgotten you.
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We are going to have so much fun, and learn some amazing truths through OBS. I can’t wait to get started! Here’s where you can register: Hidden Potential OBS
Wow, Wendy, you know how to inspire and encourage!! 🙂
I have an analytical mind by nature, so it reasons my way out or into something, or back and forth over and over again about that something. It can be draining for sure.
But while reading your post, you addressed every excuse my mind came up with for why not, rather than why “yes”, like past failures, hurts, experiences, why would it be different any other time, etc.
I loved what you concluded, “ He wants my availability, not my abilities.” And I think that’s the major key. Thru that God can use us to be a part of His great something, big also reveal to us our own potential that we didn’t even know we had, which I thinks in the end strengthens our trust, faith, and excitement about continuing to walk with God.
Thank you again! I’m definitely feeling more uplifted after reading your post. Thank you!
I love this devotion! It rings true to me like so many other women!
I can connect with a lot of what you shared in this devotional. Thank you.
Wonderful devotion! Thank you Wendy!
“La, la, la…” I’ve been using that a lot lately along with many of the reasons you also listed. I want to move forward but… Oh, this devotional brings up so many emotions like hope and excitement but it also brings anxiety and fear. Thank you for sharing this message with us and allowing God to use you to stir our hearts again!
Thank you Wendy for these words of strength and courage for my soul. You’ve hit the nail on the head for me.
You are describing me. Different set of circumstances but feeling stuck, not knowing where to turn. Faithfully serving and in Bible Study until God reveals next step. Too afraid to make mistakes. Weary. Asking God to direct my mind and heart. Thank you for this devotion, encouraged I’m not alone.
Thank you so much for this message. This is something I really struggle with, and appreciate your encouraging words.
Thanks for the reminder that I need to lean in on God and not trust in myself.
This was the first thing I read the morning after a horrible day of telling myself neither my art nor my writing would ever go beyond a simple creative outlet. Thank you. Thank you for helping me to see how the enemy unravels me. I loved the softball story, of how you never thought you could go farther. It’s similar with my art. On the brink of being 60, I am just now emerging. The fear of not being good enough to be a gallery artist has led to a room filled with paintings that tell me they’re okay but not truly art. Thank you for the opportunity to process this.
God totally can use your art and writing!!! I’m excited for you and what Gods going to do with you!
Dee
Thank you Wendy, this really hit home for me. I felt it in my heart, all these years of listening to Satan’s lies about not stepping out to experience new things in life or doing what God has called me to do because I didn’t think I would be good enough. I was afraid, and not trusting that God has already empowered me and has good plans for me.
Thank you for your encouragement and words of honesty.
I love how God has a specific plan for each of us. I pray we will listen to His nudges and follow the path He has for us.
I feel God is calling me to a task I am not prepared to handle. I have always considered myself a confident person but at this time I am doubting myself. I know I was lead to this Study for a reason. God is preparing me for a time such as this. ❤️
Love that verse from Esther, so empowering!
This brought tears to my eyes! I read your devotion this morning on P31, and it spoke to me so wonderfully, so to click on the link, and to continue reading here, just filled my heart with joy! Thank you for speaking to me today! I am so thankful God hears my heart and unspoken fears, and responds in so many ways. Our Father never ceases to amaze me, and your words today gave me the same comfort as if we were at a favorite coffee shop together, enjoying coffee & carbs, and diving into this discussion. Thank you!
I like how you said that what God has in mind for me to do is no less significant then people doing grander things ( in my eyes). Words for my soul.
Thank you so much for the devotion today and the link to your website. I have struggled my whole life with the same thoughts you have struggled with. As I feel a calling, I talk myself out of it. Presently, my husband of 24 years left, saying we grew apart, but then I found he had been having an affair. Mediation is set for next week after 7 months of waiting due to COVID. So, that hasn’t helped my self confidence at all but the difference is, I feel the calling to serve the Lord more now than ever. I want to be the daughter he created me to be, whatever that means. Very excited to explore this study with you:)
Meant to capitalize He when referring to God.
It is comforting to know that God sees me and brings me into His wonderful plan of becoming a person who can do great things in His name. He wants my availability and obedience as He nudges me to open to His purpose and walk in His ways. I’m encouraged to continue to pursue my writing to glorify Him as I paint a picture of words to show the wonderful way God can work in a person’s heart. Thank you for giving me the examples of the Old Testament saints and the apostles who relied on the Lord to overcome their disabilities. It gives me hope that God will continue to work in me to do His good and perfect will.
It is difficult to silence those whispering of lack sometimes. Thank you for reminding us that where we see lack, he sees our potential and wants to use us for his works.