Worthlessness makes me useful?

Jan 072010

Submitted by: Kelly Phillips, Pacific Region President

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I have no doubt those words are familiar to many of us. What may be unfamiliar to us is the context. The Apostle Paul wrote those very words almost 2000 years ago, from a prison cell. The epitome of hopelessness, he was in an actual, physical prison cell. Yet Paul had hope. With his words Paul expounded on his ability to trust in the Lord Jesus, regardless of his circumstances.

This past summer, as I contemplated some of the things I felt the Lord was calling me to, this particular verse repeatedly came to my mind. One night I hit my knees and cried out,

“But Lord, I can’t do it! It’s too hard!” The Holy Spirit whispered to my heart,

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I whimpered back,

“I can’t. I’m not worthy.” He whispered to me,

“Realizing that you’re not worthy is what makes you useful.”

I was stunned. Knowing my worthlessness makes me useful? How?

His answer: Because then you’re not trying to accomplish things in your own power, but in His.

I immediately began to comprehend that my fears were baseless. I was afraid that I would disappoint the Lord. That I would let Him down by not accomplishing the tasks He had for me. I also began to see that my fears hadn’t come from the Lord. The enemy of my soul was trying to keep me from the work the Lord wanted to bless me with. The enemy had put me in that prison cell with Paul, but my attitude was keeping me there.

I determined right then and there that if the Lord was calling me to it, He was going to get me through it. It wouldn’t necessarily be easy. But it would be worth it! And the best part was, I knew I couldn’t fail! I was going to be doing God’s work, with God’s strength.

What is God calling you to? Is the enemy trying to keep you in a prison cell? Is he squelching your hope? YOU can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you. Like Paul, trust in the Lord, regardless of your circumstances!