By: Sherry Pryor
For all those who may be newer in walking in obedience to Christ, like me, and feel you cannot stand on your own next to those more seasoned in their faith and familiarity with the Word, rest assured that is not the case. If you feel like others somehow have a direct line to Jesus that you just can’t tap into, or their relationship with our Heavenly Father is more connected than your own, hear me when I say this is far from any reality found in Scripture. I now know this was my way of thinking and not God’s.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 NIV
It is not just being sincere in our knowledge that makes us a disciple, but a heart that desires Christ more than our own life. Jesus does not call the equipped, He equips the called. Whether we are one day, one year, or a century old in our faith walk, we are being transformed to take on our new image found in Christ.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
The thinking that we are too new to be of any use for His Kingdom work must be recognized for what it is – a lie. The Father of Lies, Satan, is the one who gets us to think we don’t know what to say or where to find the words to speak in order to help another experience the love and grace of the salvation promised to us by our Lord and Savior, so ‘how can we be of any use?’ He is the one also known as the Deceiver, who thrives on doubts. Our doubt gives him the advantage to see a fissure in our armor and create a divide between God’s voice and our ears. I know in my head that though I have surrendered my life to God, the world still tugs and pulls at me to corrupt my thoughts, bringing darkness to my eyes and deafening silence to my ears. It is in this vulnerable state that I need to remember God sent His only Son to die for my sins. I am His beloved child, and He has made me worthy.
“Make up your minds ahead of time not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.”
Luke 21:14-15 GNT
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Colossians 2:8 NKJV
It is too easy to fall prey to the trappings of comparing oneself to others. Each of us have been granted special gifts by God’s grace. For some of us, it is the ability to motivate and cultivate new beginnings in a person. While for others, it is a gift of doing simple acts of kindness that are so small, but, unbeknownst to them, create a ripple effect that triggers life changing effects. We must choose in advance to believe God at His Word for Who He says He is and Who He says we are in Him, through His Son Christ Jesus.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
I pray each day for myself, and now I pray for you, that God continues to strengthen and grow our confidence in our new identity that is found in Christ alone. I pray we will be found ready on the day a person new in their walk with Christ comes to us, and they will not see what we are lacking, but instead see our faith shining bright and our deeds reflecting Jesus’ teachings. Today, may you pray with me to our Heavenly Father, asking for His guidance as we step out in faith into the purpose and plan He wrote for our lives before we were even born.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
