I’ve been reading “My utmost for His highest” along with Acts during the month of August. I’ve always heard great things about this book. There’s a dollar used bookstore in my town (everything is a dollar…everything) and I stumbled upon this book. The devotional for August 4th was exactly what my spirit needed.
Oh, the bravery of God in trusting us! Do you say, “But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value”? That is exactly why He chose you. As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have purposes of your own to serve. But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him “to Jerusalem” ( Luke 18:31 ). And that will mean the fulfillment of purposes which He does not discuss with you.
We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience- all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ). God’s friendship is with people who know their poverty. He can accomplish nothing with the person who thinks that he is of use to God. As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all- we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. We must never allow anything to damage our relationship with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.”
Being in a relationship with the Lord doesn’t make everything easy. The lessons I’ve learned and battles I’ve overcome still arise in time. The Lord has to once again remind me that He chose me. I already know this but with time the power of it fades for some reason. Then out of nowhere the Lord speaks this truth back into my life and I am revived and awakened. The Lord chose me. He chose you. And not because we’ve proven to Him that we are worthy and we can fulfill His plans. How incredible is it that we don’t have to live up to a standard with the Lord!? In everyday life I notice all the expectations that exist. I majored in art in college. People ask me what I plan to do with that all the time. Maybe I should have a plan but I don’t. People expect me to have a plan. To have a job in mind that will keep me secure. It’s only natural to wonder what someone with a bachelors in fine arts will do with their life. I don’t want a plan. I want the Lord’s plan and I’ve learned that the Lord’s plan doesn’t get explained to me. I find out as I go it seems. I think this is because if I knew His plan I’d somehow mess it up. Not intentionally but if I knew where the Lord was going to take me I would respond differently to everything. My motives would change. Basically what I’m trying to say is that the Lord will always feed us. He knows my breaking point and He plans on taking care of me. I just have to let Him. And He will take care of me regardless of whether I’ve done everything right.
