“One of my neighbors is a fairly new believer,” Stan said, “and he is struggling with getting plugged in where God may want him to be.”
“That’s pretty common isn’t it?” I responded.
“It is,” Stan replied, “but with my neighbor it is deeper than what I normally encounter.”
“How so?” I asked.
“He didn’t give me any details,” Stan said, “and I don’t want or need to know any details, but he is very adamant about feeling disqualified because of his past.”
“Disqualified?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Stan said, “he really feels that he has done something so bad that God couldn’t possibly use him. He knows that he has been forgiven by his acceptance of the finished work of Christ on the cross, but he doesn’t feel qualified to do anything in or for the church.”
“Were you able to talk with him in any way that helped?” I asked.
“I tried and I will continue to try as he is open,” Stan replied, “but mainly I am leaving it in God’s hands. I used myself as an example of how if God can use me, He can use anyone.”
Continuing, he said, “And I pointed out what the apostle Paul said about all of us falling short of God’s glory. And I really emphasized Paul himself. Where would the church be today if Paul had disqualified himself?”
“Paul did lots of bad stuff against Christians,” Stan said, “but God had plans for him to become an amazing voice for Christ and the gospel. Had Paul disqualified himself because he thought he was disqualified, you and I would probably not be sitting here today. God may have raised up someone else in Paul’s place, but it was not for Paul to disqualify himself.”
“God has a plan for each one of us. Our responsibility is to listen to His voice as He leads. He knows where He wants each one of us to be for His purposes, and self-disqualification is not part of that. I do not know all God has for me, but I choose to listen in order to find out.”
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All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you want to use me for your purposes. I confess that too often I allow my self-focus to get in the way by thinking you could not possibly have any use in your church for someone like me. It is a lie of Satan. Please forgive me for listening to his voice. And please lead me exactly as you want to get me to where you want for your purposes. Please lead and help me to follow, believing that you will open every door you want me to walk through. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 