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. Instantly, I thought of my call to teach and realized that my fear stemmed from this very impulse. I was not afraid because I wanted to succeed in the eyes of the Lord; rather, I was afraid of how I would be perceived by others. In other words, I sought to be glorified or applauded for my knowledge of the Word. However, that is not why God called me. He called me so that when I speak in front of the church, they acknowledge that it is all of Him and none of me because the Krystal they know would prefer to sit silently in the back, especially amid large crowds.

In the past, whenever the thought of attending a social event made me anxious, I would simply choose not to go or, if I had no other option, I would sort of hide in the background. What God is calling me to do goes against my very nature. There’s no option to hide or stay away; I must face my fears. I can't do this alone, so I must decrease so that He may increase. I know that if I increase, causing Him to decrease, then if I’m being honest, they won’t be seeing me at all.

Fear often arises when we feel uncertain about our ability to succeed where God is leading us. It's crucial to understand that God would not lead us where He does not believe we will eventually succeed. When He calls us, it's important to recognize that He is the one who is put on display, not us.

If God is the one who has called you, then you can be assured that He plans to receive glory from your situation. Since you may not feel capable by your own standards—or probably by the standards of others—God gets the glory when you exceed all expectations, including your own.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and in some way, shape, or form, whatever God asks of us contributes to His ultimate will for our lives. Given this, the prayer mentioned in Part 1 is essential. Fear can sometimes 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.”

See Part 3.