Unexpected Devotional Thought

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). I read this text this morning. I needed to hear those very words today. Life has been a bit dicey recently. Like the proverbial duck, at the surface there is the appearance of peace and tranquility. All would appear to be fine to all who are looking at my life without a view to the inner workings that take place behind the scenes.

I sense I am not different from most people who wrestle with the nuts and bolts of living, doing, producing, and trying to measure up to external pressures. I venture to believe that I am not alone in wondering whether my best is sufficient to satisfy those who are looking for someone to cast a vision or “right the ship.” I confess that I often wonder whether my best is actually my best, or whether the time has come in my life when I will have to finally admit that I am in over my head. Is it permissible for a leader to have such thoughts?

You can see why the words hit home this morning. Yesterday was largely spent working with (in charge of?) a committee that is making decisions that are going to change the way Adventist Education works in Arizona. That I am on the committee is sobering enough to me to begin with. I do not yet feel at home in my new conference superintendent armor. I was left wondering at the end of the day—how, or for that matter—why, would God bring me to this place at this time? There are many other people more qualified, more quantified, more sanctified, more dignified, to lead the process of change that is needed. I am a feeble, frail, fractured, fickle, foolish, and very faulty fellow. I’m in charge? No way!

I must trust God to make grace abound—to me and in me, in order to provide me what I need for the moment and produce the intended results that He needs to bring about. Those results will be good—not in spite of me, but because what I am is secondary to the fact that He is working through me to accomplish what He wants. I can live with that. I cannot change what I am. God, on the other hand, changes what needs to be changed and uses the foolish of this world (I qualify!) to stump the experts and bring about His Kingdom. Let’s have a great day!