An Open Door P.2

Symbolizations for this entry (aids in understanding):

An open door = A door that leads to the promises of God

See Part 1…

The lesson I’ll be teaching addresses the impulse to self-glorify. Immediately, I thought of my call to teach and realized that my fear stemmed from this very impulse. I wasn’t afraid because I wanted to succeed in the eyes of the Lord—I was afraid of how I would be perceived by others. In other words, I subconsciously desired to be applauded or validated for my knowledge of the Word. But that is not why God called me.

He called me so that when I stand before the church, they recognize that it is all of Him and none of me, because the Krystal they know would much rather sit quietly in the back, especially in large crowds.

In the past, if attending a social event made me anxious, I would simply avoid going or, if attendance was required, I would hide in the background. But what God is calling me to do goes against my natural tendencies. There is no option to hide. No option to stay away. I must face my fears—and I cannot do it alone. I must decrease so that He may increase. Because if I increase—if I allow myself to take center stage and God to fade into the background—then truthfully, they won’t really be seeing me at all.

Fear often arises when we doubt our ability to succeed where God is leading us. It’s important to remember that God would never lead us where He does not already know we will ultimately succeed. When He calls us, He intends for Himself to be put on display—not us.

So if God is the one calling you, you can be assured that He plans to receive glory from your situation. Since you may not feel capable by your own standards—or possibly by the standards of others—God receives the glory when you exceed expectations, including your own. Your insufficiency becomes the stage for His sufficiency.

I believe everything God asks of us happens for a reason, and in some way, each assignment contributes to His ultimate will for our lives. For that reason, the prayer from Part 1 is essential. Fear can easily lead us away from God’s will, but when we intentionally decrease and allow God to increase, we can confidently step into what He has asked of us—knowing it is all Him and none of us.

See Part 3…

Scripture to reflect on:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9) 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

10) That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Galatians 1:10:

10) “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”