Poor as a church mouse

Aug

12

2013

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Aug

12

2013

I experienced a period in my life, (especially in my dark younger years), where I had incredibly low self-esteem. Later when I began to enjoy some success I developed high self-esteem, (pride and arrogance). I found them both to be similarly dysfunctional weapons used by the enemy against my life.

I was very unhappy at both ends of that street.

Even today far too often I feel unworthy of God’s love and have serious doubts that I can be of use to Him in any capacity. I mull over my lack of formal education, my sordid background, and my myriad of weaknesses and it makes me reluctant to approach even witnessing to anyone, much less entering the ministry and speaking to the masses.

Egad! It didn’t occur to me that God might look at my life in quite a different light. Nor did it occur to me that He chose me and not vice versa. I was totally absorbed by self and not God. Yesterday a buddy sent me some musings from my good friend and renowned evangelist Bill Fay. It seemed appropriate for today’s topic:

“Wow, the bravery of God in trusting us. Some think He has been unwise to choose me, I have no value!

That is exactly why he chose you.

As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have your own purposes to serve. But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, He can choose you to go with Him.

And that will mean the fulfillment of the purposes which He does not discuss with you. 

We think because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian.

It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or experience.

God’s friendship is with people who know their poverty.

He can accomplish nothing with the person who thinks he is of use to God. As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all—we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same.

We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens we must maintain our relationship with Him. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain.

That’s what our Father wants first and foremost.”

One of my favorite Gospel songs is “How Great Thou Art”; in fact I selected it to be sung at my brother’s very sad funeral to provide some relief. Some of us at times seem to twist it to “How Great I am”, or conversely “How Terrible I Am”.

The focus should be on God and not on us. Spiritually I’m as poor as a church mouse without Him and richer than Solomon with Him.

Eureka! He chose me because of my weakness, not in spite of it. The same with you; recognize you are weak and even boast about it and tap into the power of Christ and then go out there and “cast the net” today!

2 Cor. 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

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