I have talked to people in the past who thought turning things over to God meant taking a seat and doing nothing. It was not until years later, after they came to a point of frustration, that they finally started seeking God’s direction in a way that enabled God to use them to improve the situation.
What does turning things over to God look like to you?
Yes, God is able to reach down and change things. But what if He intends to use you to make that difference instead?
When we turn things over to God, sometimes we need to wait on God. But how many times do we use the lack of resources, or the fact that we are frustrated, or that we are out of ideas or tired of trying as a reason – or should I say excuse – to wait on God?
It really is easy to forget that sometimes we simply need to ask God what He would have us do, and then do it.
Years ago I watched God double a Girls-In-Action group from 17 to 34 members. Leadership also grew. It happened over a period of about 6 months. God used people to make it happen. The group was prayed over. The girls were invited. Their parents brought them. People were actively involved in the solution.
What if the desire to grow the group stopped with just that – the desire. Suppose the group was not prayed over? Suppose the girls were not invited? Suppose the parents had not brought them?
Sometimes it only takes one person to get the ball rolling. Consider this.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:38-41
God used Peter to make a huge difference. The body of Christ grew by about 3000!
I could be wrong, but I don’t think Peter had a huge budget, coffee, doughnuts, chairs, a building, booklets, or even handouts. Sometimes we let these things, or the lack of them, prevent us from letting God use us to make a difference.
What special thing did Peter have? Peter was Spirit filled. What special thing did Peter do? He simply obeyed God, and he let God work through him to bring salvation to these folks. He gave them the Gospel.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Revelation 19:1
Today’s challenge is to consider asking God to do something very specific inside your church. Ask Him to use you to make that happen. If you’ve already asked for something, what has God asked you to do toward making it happen? Remember to bathe it in prayer, walk in obedience, and to thank Him for it.