“My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV 1984) If you have gone to church for any length of time, you have probably heard this statement at least once, maybe more. Recently, my understanding of this verse grew.
I had just finished a book project entitled The Father’s Study last year. It was a set of forty parables about the relationship between the Heavenly Father and His child. My thought was, now I can work on this other project The Rose of Calaria a Christian fantasy/suspense novel. This was the second time I started writing this novel.
Three years prior, I had deleted the whole manuscript, based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Now I thought it was okay to start once again, since the Father’s Study was complete. For seven months I worked on it and wrote about ten chapters, However, there was a problem. I wanted God’s blessing as I wrote it.
The more I wrote the more the Holy Spirit nudged me to stop. I wouldn’t listen. The prodding was so strong, but my disobedience bordered on and then turned into rebellion. My quiet times were hindered, and I would push the Bible and the study workbook away.
I argued with God about it for a few days. “Why can’t I write this?” The answer He impressed on my heart was that it not only interfered with our relationship but it interfered with what He had for me. It became an idol.
When I finally gave up the story, a desire to take the The Father’s Study in a new direction welled up within me. Immediately I responded, “I can’t do that. I don’t have a theology degree, so who would listen?”
Then as if I the light bulb over my head turned on, this thought came to mind, “Precisely. You can’t, but I can through you. You can write the fantasy piece but those were your ideas, thoughts, and desires – not mine. If I allow you to write it, you would definitely take the glory. However if you do what I ask, you can do it because I will give you the ability to do it.”
Isn’t that an awesome thought? How many times do we not do what God asks us to, because it means getting out of our comfort zones, or beyond our talents? Or better yet doing something we have no skill in.
He wants us to rely on Him. Take Gideon, for example. The angel of the Lord came to him and told him he would defeat the Midian army. He addressed Gideon as a “mighty warrior”. Gideon was a farmer – not a soldier. However, through him, God was glorified.
What about the novel? I wiped it out completely – hard copies and all. Although, taking that step was difficult, I had peace.
How about you? Is there something God has called you to do, and you have not obeyed due to insecurity? Oh loved one, take the risk and step out of the comfort zone you have set up. Let God show Himself to you and work through you. You will be amazed and even surprised at the results.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having
all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
Solitude with the Father 