If you are a preacher or teacher like me, you must have had those moments when you don’t feel like preaching or those times when you felt you preached your worst message. Only to find out that it was that worst message or that I-don’t-feel-like-it message that people got blessed the most, at least, judging by the testimonies that follow.
What I have come to realize is that, God functions best through us when we seem to be at our worst. This was what God meant when He told Paul that; “My Grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Now, this does not imply that God wants us to be weak, it simply implies that God wants us to function from the place of weakness; a place where we see our incapability without His ability.
Friend, while it is good to prepare yourself and acquire enough strength and skill for your work or assignment, it is important that you don’t lean on all of those. While it is very important that we acquire understanding, Solomon encouraged us not to lean on it but on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6). The issue is the leaning; do we lean on our understanding or trust the omniscience of God?
We need to develop swiftness in life, we need to be strong, we need to acquire wisdom, but ultimately we must submit all of these to the one who alone is Almighty and All-knowing because we know that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill…” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Perhaps, the reason a lot of people fail in places where they seem strong or skillful is this deception of leaning on their strength or skill. Over the years, I have developed this fear or awe each time I’m privileged to share God’s word. I have developed a posture of heart and spirit that shows my desperate need for God (John 15:5). And He has not failed me once. Never trust your preparation above the faithfulness of God. You will succeed!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria