Tomorrow is going to be a very emotional day at our church. It’s our lead pastor’s last Sunday with us. It’s been such a joy and privilege to work with him. He’s been an amazing pastor and mentor and friend.
The Lord has asked him to take a new assignment, and he did the right thing. He said, “Yes, Lord!” (Saying, “Yes, Lord!” is ALWAYS the right thing.) And on Monday, my husband is moving into that position, lead pastor. To be honest, it’s a little unnerving. Scary even. We’ve got some big shoes to fill.
We look at Pastor Daniel and all of his gifts and qualities and experience and we just see it. He’s perfect for what he’s stepping into. God has prepared him all along for this. For such a time as this. For such a role as this.
But us. We feel a little more like Jeremiah.
The Lord gave me this message:
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,
“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
(Jeremiah 1:4-9)
When we’re faced with a task that’s bigger than we are, the natural response is, “Wait a minute God.” Or the ever famous, “No way. I can’t.”
Jeremiah heard God’s plan for him and all he could see were his weaknesses. His shortcomings. All he could see was what he was lacking. Age. Wisdom. Experience.
“Wait a minute, God. Surely you know this already, but I’m just a bit too young for that job. Come back in a few years when I have more to offer.”
But God wasn’t having any of that. He basically replied and said, “Look, Jeremiah. Don’t say you’re too young. It’s a lie. Your age doesn’t matter because I will be with you, and I’ve got enough age for the both of us. I’m the Ancient of Days after all. And don’t be afraid. I’ll be with you and will keep you safe. I’m all the wisdom and experience you need. You need to see yourself like I do. You’ve got this. You can do this…I’ll make sure of it.”
Fear. It’s such a nasty little bugger. Fear is what drives excuses. It was behind Jeremiah’s “I’m too young.” It was behind Moses’, “But Lord I stutter!” And it’s what’s behind our, “Lord, are you sure about this?”
The truth is it doesn’t matter what we have or don’t have. If He called you to it, He’ll give you what you need to do it. And usually, the less ability you have the better because He will truly get all the glory that way.
He just needs a willing and empty vessel who will pour out what He pours in.
The question is do we have enough faith to believe it. To take the leap of faith and say, “Yes, Lord!” instead of, “But, God.”
What has He asked you to do that you look at and say, “Wait a minute, God. Are you sure about this?”
Let go of fear. Let go of excuses. Go ahead and trust that He’s got you and He won’t let you down.
Stop saying, “What if I fail?” And start dreaming, “What if I fly?”
