This week – Chapter 7 “And Our Eyes at Last Shall See
Him,” in The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs.
Luke reminds us that the name Jesus was chosen before his
birth, which means it was chosen before Mary said yes. Not only did she have faith in God, but God had faith in her.
– Liz Curtis
Higgs, The Women of Christmas
Have you ever felt like you couldn’t do what God was asking
you to do?
Many times, I’ve told God, “I don’t think I can do this, but
if You think I can, then I can.” And you know what? Knowing God thinks I can do
something makes all the difference in the world. It’s that boost of confidence
I need—not confidence in myself, but in Him.
I wonder if Mary ever felt that way…maybe when she had to
tell her family she was pregnant before she was married…or when she found
herself ready to give birth in a stable.
She may have had moments of thinking she wasn’t strong
enough, but God knew. He had a plan, and He chose her to be a part of it. That
had to have given her courage when hers was waning.
God will do that with us. He will guide us outside of our
comfort zones and lead us through situations we would never choose for
ourselves.
He will give us
courage when ours is gone. And confidence when we have none in ourselves.
Not all of our attempts will turn out favorably. There will
be things we try and fail. And God will be there to say, “But look, you didn’t
let fear stop you from trying.”
He knew we could take that step, as long our trust was in
Him.
Other times there will be success, despite a long and rocky
path in getting there. And He’s there…encouraging us to keep going, providing
comfort in our frustration and grief, and guiding us when we get distracted
from the path.
God knows His plans for us and He chooses us for His
purpose. We may or may not know what that purpose is, but He knows us. He knows
what He created us to do.
And He knows that when our faith and trust are in Him…we can do it.
And He knows that when our faith and trust are in Him…we can do it.
How do you feel when God calls you to do something you don’t
think you can handle? Does it encourage you to know God called you for a
purpose?
In Christ,
I'm a firm believer that God will always equip us with the tools we need to accomplish what He's called us to do. Sometimes I forget that, as I turn my eyes to myself, but then realize in my own strength I can do nothing. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post as we head into the new year, Laura! I find that God usually calls me to do things that seem way beyond my ability -- when I think I can't do it, then He shows up in spectacular fashion. I love that verse from Jeremiah 29. Such a sweet promise! Another passage that I hold onto when I take a step of faith is in Psalms 138. Verse 3 says, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." Then, in verse 8, it says that "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me."
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Thought-Provoking Thursday! I hope you have a blessed and fruitful New Year. :)
I really like Psalm 138:3 too! (from the NLT)
Delete"As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength."
It reminds me that God answers prayer, maybe not in the way I'm hoping, but He gives strength to keep waiting and to keep persevering.
Thanks Lyli!
Happy New Year!