Speak Out - Practice

After growing up in a Christian home, and learning about Jesus for 22 years, why do I still feel insufficient for God’s work? Inadequate? Not smart enough? After finishing Bible School, I thought I’d have my life together, have seen God do awesome things with my life, and be bringing people to Christ left and right (and yes, God did do many amazing things while I was at Bible School, more than I had imagined or even thought
possible). But,

ONE YEAR LATER… I haven’t fallen away from God or ruined my life. I haven’t stopped doing my devotions or praying, but I still feel like I don’t know enough about my faith and that I’m too much of a hypocrite to be “out there” affecting people. I think this is one way that Satan can and has been discouraging us (or at least me). Our struggle (my struggle) is not against flesh and blood. There is a spiritual battle going on, more than we realize, so much more than we realize! The Bible mentions it more than
just in Ephesians 6 and it is shown so often in the Bible! Many people in the Bible had spiritual battles: Adam and Eve, David, Solomon, the disciples, even Jesus had to fight against the powers of darkness.

NOW… “IT’S TIME.” It’s time for me to trust Him, completely. God has laid it on my heart to stop being a wimp. I’ve got my foundation now, and it’s time to start applying. Even if I don’t do it right or am clumsy at it, I don’t have to know everything before I can start applying it. I am not God, and therefore I will never be done learning. It’s a constant process, and we can never stop growing closer to Christ. I will make mistakes sometimes, but I will never grow and see new things if I’m not trying out what I’ve learned. Sometimes we can “know” what God has taught us, but it doesn’t really sink in and really affect us until we test it out or God allows us to be tested. God doesn’t want to just tell us the answer. So many times He wants to show us too, if only we (I) would let him!

I have been studying the Bible with just the intention of learning, but there is so much more to it! After all, the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And God’s word, which goes forth from His mouth, does not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires (Isaiah 55). How cool is that? Why am I afraid again? God’s word is so powerful. It’s not just a learning tool—it has so much more to offer! I have not been taking advantage of what God has available to me.

Don’t get me wrong, learning is not a bad thing. But God has been telling me to get up and start using what He’s been teaching me. I need to practice… yes, practice. I haven’t been practicing very much. Practicing usually means doing something and more than once, with the very real possibility of messing up. I need to practice what I have been learning, and trust God that He will use it for good as He promises in Romans 8. Even if I mess up!

And if I do need help, or encouragement, if I get somewhere and don’t know what to say or do, well… hello! That’s what God is there for!

There is so much to learn and God has changed my life and done some amazing things. I have not been disappointed in God at all. I will never stop learning, but God wants me to do more than learn. He wants me to practice. He wants me to apply. He wants me to do. It’s time for me to walk the walk in my heart as well as in my actions. Now, that is a lot easier said than done, but bring it on because God is my helper, my joy,
and my strength. He’s also my teammate, my partner, my friend, and my Savior. And this is going to be a grand adventure!

NT
originally posted July 2008