Sunday, March 15, 2009

Trust

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"  David Livingstone

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word, 
just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him, How I've proved him o'er and o'er,
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to trust him more

"You are so wonderful to make such a sacrifice being in ministry and doing what you do"... Oh how I cringe at statements like that. We hear things like this often as we tour people around our campus and share the testimony of our ministry. I struggle as people try to make us out as some kind of hero's for being in ministry. I try to let people know we are incredibly average people in in skills, talents, gifts, beliefs and faith among many other things. Our desire is to serve at that feet of the almighty God and honestly, I question whether I am even worthy of that.
I think we often shield ourselves from being servants by lifting others up to a place we know we cannot be in... or if it takes a particular talent to do the things God asks us to do in the Bible, then maybe we can be exempt if He has not given us that gift. My prayer for all of us is that we put ourselves in a place to to learn to trust God and His word, and usually that happens way out on a limb, where we we are uncomfortable and scared and in total need of God's grace.
I again, here, will express that all we have is a willingness to do whatever God sets in front of us and that willingness is based in trust. Not faith, (something I will talk about in the future), but trust.  My most favorite song in the world is written above. Just typing out the words here brings me to tears, because it simply and beautifully expresses all I hope to be in Him, a man who trusts. 
LT


4 comments:

  1. I know what your saying Tony..."it's not about ability, it's about availability". God uses our strengths along with our weakness and we need to TRUST. I know your gonna hate me for saying this but I would call your "skills, talents and gifts" anything but average. You are gifted and talented and its so AWESOME to see God use those talents for his glory. You'll never convince me your average Tony. Love ya:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. We've talked about this from time to time. We can't do God's work; only He can. We can only do what He asks us to do and even then wonder why He asks us when we know there are much more "qualified" people to do it. Every time I get in my car and head to the office here at church, I wonder, "what am I doing, God. HELP!" And He does. It always has been, still is and always will be about Him. And as long as we always understand that, God will use us in incredible, unbelievable ways to accomplish His will. Wow, God! You are amazing! Keep looking up, Tony. Love ya.

    ReplyDelete