Encouraged by God

The word of God never ceases to surprise me. It is not rare for me to find myself in awe of how scripture speaks to my heart and soul during the times I need it the most.

This past week I felt somewhat down and uninspired. I doubted my abilities and felt inadequate in many different ways.

At that time, all I wanted was to be a child in God's arms. I wanted to sit on his lap and have Him tell me of the plans He has for me. I wanted to hear Him whisper his vision for my life.

During a sleepless night, I decided to spend some time in the word. I wasn't really sure what I was looking for, so I finished the last chapter of Romans (which I had been reading) and continued on to I Corinthians. It was here that I heard God tell me a little bit about who I am in his eyes.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things— and the things that are not— to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God— that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Through these verses God reminded me two important things. First, that I am not capable, adequate, intelligent or wise by my own abilities. Second, that God uses my inabilities and weaknesses for his glory. Created as a human, I am not good enough. It is through his grace that I become a mighty warrior.