How often do you consider your strengths and weakness when taking a job or assignment? Does God consider our strengths and weakness when giving us an assignment?
Consider this, Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV) “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”
We are like clay—just clay. Clay has no mind of its own, not plans or aspirations that may come with an opportunity. It is just clay that is pliable and otherwise totally submissive to the one who holds it. Is it the clay that creates the ministry, attracts the crowd, grants salvation?
Are we like the servant in Mt. 20:15 who became angry at the master for paying the late comers the same as those who had worked all day. Do we have the right to tell God what we will or will not do, then become angry because He chose to ask us to do something we said we would not do? I’ve done that—more than once! However, the Bible tells us in Romans 11:34 (ESV) “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Romans 9:20-21 (ESV) But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Could it be that when God chooses you He chooses you because you are weak in the area He wants to use you in. If He chose you because of your natural strength, would you have been tempted to lean more on your gifting than the gift giver. That is not to say God will always do that because that isn’t always the case. However, it is not for you or I, the clay, to tell God what we will or will not do. The ‘gifts-test’ do not necessarily tell us what God will ask us to do. Know this, if God is the one who calls you, He is the one who will empower you to do something that is outside your wheelhouse.
God used “dust” (Gen. 2:7) to shape you, not gold dust, just plain dust!! Just as He used “dust” and his spittle to heal the blind man’s eyes (Jn. 9:6) and used dust in which to write a message (Jn. 8:8), He wants to use you to communicate His word and work His miracles.
If you are like me and your tendency is to first look at how your clay is shaped before you seriously consider obeying God’s request. If so, take time to remind yourself that you are just the clay vessel He made and can use as He sees fit. Will you join with me in seeking to maintain a humble attitude? God can work His power through your weakness just as easily as He can use your strength.