Wednesday, January 23, 2013

When I am weak...

Through an interesting course of events, I've now found myself  training to volunteer at a pregnancy resource center. It has been wonderful. An answer to prayer for me in many ways.

Part of the training included watching a video on how to share the gospel with someone, plus other training on how to communicate with people who are facing hard decisions in life.  

The gospel and the truth of God's word. It is all joyously good news. But sadly, it is daunting to think of sharing it with someone. Oh, why is that?? Can you relate at all?

It's majorly because of my petty fears and feelings of inadequacy in communication (I just won't be able to say the right thing!!) I find this sad and an area God is showing me I need to grow in because, after all, fear is a liar. Yes, I'm a broken vessel. And yes, God is the all powerful One who is with me. So this feeling of fear and inadequacy I constantly need to check, with Scripture - with truth. 

I mentioned this struggle to an older lady and my mom recently, and they both so wisely pointed me to examples in Scripture of others who have felt the same way. Wow. The Scripture is filled with people like me. Struggling people. Fearful people. And an amazingly powerful God who patiently works through them and is incredibly patient with them in the process.

Jeremiah and Moses are examples of two men who were called by God to a specific mission, but they thought they were unable to do it. They were so gripped with their weaknesses that they forgot they had the Creator of the universe with them, ready to deliver them. It almost took my breath away as I remembered Jeremiah 1:4-8

"God called him to be a prophet. 
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
~Jeremiah 1:4-8 

I share this with you, in hopes that it will encourage you in some part of God's calling in your life. As we each come face to face with opportunities to show Christ's love let's remember that, just as with Jeremiah, Moses and Paul, the Lord is with us. Follow hard after the Lord! It really is amazing that God chooses to take weak and broken vessels for His glorious work. 

God is so faithful in our weaknesses and His grace is enough and overflowing for each day! :)


"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
~2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

"He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

8 comments:

Rachel said...

Oh, Oh, Ana..I'm SO glad I clicked on your post today! {{Hugs}} And I'm so thankful you shared these fears and this news and what God is teaching you, because these lessons are some of the very ones I've been learning myself in the last couple months! :)

Yes, yes, I struggle too with overcoming my fears in taking a step of faith and in sharing of my love for Jesus Christ. I will write you and share more on this but I'm so glad to have found a friend who is learning these things - perhaps we can share and encourage each other and be in prayer for one another as we each seek to overcome fear and let God use us. :)

Love in Christ dear "sister"!
~Rachel~

Gabriela said...

Oh my word. I think we all, as Christians, can relate to this. I've learned that it is our genuine Christ-like actions, connection, and respect with/towards others that lead to sharing the gospel. I haven't told this story to a lot of people, but it happened to me when I went on a mission trip to Haiti almost 2 years ago. I felt like you. Scared. I wanted to share my love of Christ with others, but I didn't want to be so "pushy". One day, while preparing for evening devotions/worship, my friend and I went out of the house we were staying in, because we heard kids playing soccer. We were watching and a woman, a nurse in Haiti, approached us. We began talking and getting to know each other and cheering on the teams. She spoke broken English, so it was a challenge with my broken Haitian creole! After a long while, she asked what was the book I had in my hand (it was a Bible, since we used it during devotion time). That lead to a conversation about the Gospel. She knew very little about it! I ended up giving her my Bible, as I saw eagerness to know more in her eyes.

Thank you for sharing! I will be praying for you! :-)

Ella said...

Lovely, so glad you are able to volunteer at that important contact point. I just blogged on "when I am weak" a couple of weeks ago. See it at www.aldersketches.com if you like. :)

Ella

Ana R.W. said...

Rachel ~ I'm so grateful this encouraged you! God is so good! Please do feel more than welcome to send me an email! It's wonderful to have friends who can encourage and build each other up. <3

Gabriela~
Wow!
"I've learned that it is our genuine Christ-like actions, connection, and respect with/towards others that lead to sharing the gospel." That is *so* true. I needed to hear that! :) Thank you so much for sharing your story with me as well. Encouraging! What an amazing opportunity the Lord brought to you!
Thank you for the prayers. <3


Ella~
Thank you! I'll go check your blog out! :)

Blessings to each one of you ladies!

~Ana

Jacqueline@ Deeprootsathome.com said...

Ana,
My heart is overflowing with a resounding "Yes!" to where the Lord is drawing you. I trust you will receive the strength you need for each situation.
The Lord is also leading our daughter in the very same direction, and she is also in 'training' at Life Choices, learning the same truths and principles from the Word of God. Our love of the Lord Jesus draws us and our compassion for lost and hurting souls urges us to share the gospel despite our weaknesses. I was just talking with my mother about that today...'when we are weak, then He is strong!!'
Please greet your dear Mama and sisters for me :)

Ana R.W. said...

Thank you so much, Mrs. Line!

That's so exciting to hear that Rebecca is going through this training as well! It's a blessing to be able to help out in this way... :)

Blessings~
Ana

Makenna said...

Ana, how exciting that the Lord is leading you into this season of incredible growth in Him! How beautiful! And what a wonderful ministry! I'm so excited for you!
Yes, I know exactly how you feel! The inadequacy, fear, and doubt are things I'm also working through and praying about right now. Praise the Lord that He has chosen to use us as His mouthpiece to the lost and dying world. It's an exciting, yet incredibly sobering thought.
Abide in Him, my friend, and He will bear much fruit through you, all to the glory of the Father!
Praise the Lord for the work He's doing in your life!
Love,
Makenna

Ana R.W. said...

Thank you so much, Makenna! What a blessing your kind words are to me! The Lord is so faithful to keep us growing in Him. <3

~Ana