James 1 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
In light of James 1, today’s devotional from Oswald Chambers (which I just “happened” to read today – not a normal occurrence) really hit me between the eyes. Read it here.
In case you didn’t, let me quote part of the article:
God speaks in the language you know best— not through your ears, but through your circumstances.
God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, “I know that this is what I should do”-and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance. We show our ignorance of Him in the very way we decide to serve Him.
Have I been persecuting Jesus by an eager determination to serve Him in my own way? If I feel I have done my duty, yet have hurt Him in the process, I can be sure that this was not my duty.
It’s a solemn reminder to “be still and know that I am God” and to wait on him. It’s a solemn reminder that every single act of ministry I do, I must be called specifically to do. I know to often, I jump in without asking if that is what He wants me to do at this time, at this moment, in this season.
Time for a little self evaluation… through His eyes and not my own.
Father, I invite you to inspect my life, my ministry, my motivations. Show me if anything is not pleasing or not for this time. If there is anything I have committed to without your calling to, I ask forgiveness and the wisdom to know how to handle it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
great word, that middle paragraph of chambers really hit me. its funny to me that i see my ignorance in one area but not in others.
What is the difference in specifically being called to something and doing what is right? Like maybe I dont feel specifically called to give money to the poor or to widows, but God says to. How do you break those things up?
I don’t know Chandler. I’m wrestling with this as well. The danger, when we do something out of anything of our own resources, strength, talent, ability, gifting,…, we run the danger of doing good in our name and not in the name of the Lord.
There are many examples in Scripture where God called men and women to do something they were NOT naturally able to do, and that’s when HE gets all the glory.
You say this often, and it’s so true. It’s all about His renown and his glory being spread.
I’m still working this out…