He has need of you!

If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time, you will know that I put on my running shoes and did a full sprint when the Lord called me to ministry. I wasn’t having it! I wasn’t interested in preaching or being in front of people in a spiritual sense. I didn’t want people to say words to me like anointed, called, gifted. I just wanted to do Ebony. But God didn’t leave me alone! He kept putting me in situations where I had to face what He had told me. I remember when I finally accepted what He was saying to me. It was Good Friday and I was at Duke Chapel for service. The preacher was giving a powerful but quiet word and all of a sudden, he seemed to stop and look directly at me and said “It’s time to stop running. I have need of you.” My mouth fell open and I looked around to see if anyone else was as shocked as I was. It appeared that no one else had even seen this little moment between the preacher and I. I know! It sounds crazy but I knew it was God speaking to me and that it was time to end the chase. I said yes that day but continued to struggle with how God could use me. I stressed myself out worrying about how I could be what God was calling me to be. It delayed my process and kept me from fully walking in my purpose for a long time. Well, this morning God told me to speak to those of you that are questioning what God has been telling you. He told me to speak to those of you that have been held back by fear. He told me to speak to those of you that are wondering if He can still use you in your brokenness. The Lord said to tell you that He has need of you.

It’s always challenging to face the unknown. It requires you to step out on faith and trust and do something that you may not be comfortable in. I think the first thing that you have to acknowledge is that you cannot do anything in your own strength. You must let God do the leading and the equipping. Because trust me, if He called you to do something then He has prepared you to do it. Think about David and Goliath. Goliath was almost 10 feet tall and was dressed for battle. He had all of the Israelites terrified at the thought of fighting him. Do you think David in his own strength could have defeated that giant Philistine? Absolutely not! David went forth with 5 smooth stones and a sling and slayed the giant. God positioned David for the battle and equipped him with exactly what He needed to complete the assignment. Why would He not do the same for you? I know, I know, we aren’t talking about a battle. But sometimes how big our assignment is can hold us hostage and make us think that we don’t have what it takes. But God shows us in this story that He will be right there with you to defeat the obstacles that might try to get in your way.   “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give you to us!” (1 Sam. 17: 47 NLT) He has need of you!

Is there anyone like me that thought God must have you confused with someone else? Surely, He meant this message or assignment to go to Sister Jane or Brother Jack and they just weren’t listening! I’m sure Moses thought that too!  Do you remember his response to God calling him? “But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”  God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”  God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” (Ex. 3:11 -14a NLT) Isn’t it amazing how God sees you as you will be? He spoke to Moses in such a way that he knew God believed in him. Notice that God used phrases like ‘when you have brought’ and ‘you will’. Those imply that He knew Moses would get the job done. So that means if God called you to something, He knows that you can do it. He knows your whole story from beginning to end. So if He knows the outcome, shouldn’t you trust Him in the process? He has need of you!

As I close out, I just want to encourage those of you that struggle with whether God can still use you if you’ve been broken or made a mistake.  He can and He will! Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Some of the greatest men in the bible had done horrible things. Moses was a murderer, Peter cut someone’s ear off, and Paul was the worst persecutor of Christians. But Romans 11:29 says “For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.” (NLT) God is merciful to us and He renews it every day! If He can forgive the Israelites over and over again, why would He not take your struggle and turn it into strength? Why would He not take your test and transform it into your testimony? Why would He not use your calling to bless His kingdom? The Lord has need of YOU! There are some people that only you can reach! There are places that only you can go! There are messages that only you can deliver! Don’t let fear or your past keep you from walking in the purpose that God has for you. The Lord has need of YOU and I’m excited to see what you do for the Kingdom!

 God bless…Amen