From
the Pastor’s Heart….
Are You Willing?
| Some of you may remember from several years back a show called McGyver. The show featured this guy who would be sent on some sort of mission to catch bad guys or break some big criminal ring. Almost without exception he would get himself in the worst of situations where it seemed there was absolutely no way out. Then just at the last minute he would figure some complicated way to blow himself out of his captivity with a six-inch string, a hammer and some gunpowder he suddenly found in his back pocket. The suspense was thrilling as he figured out his elaborate scheme. Whew… what an escape! It left you with the feeling that he was so smart he could always outsmart everybody. Every time. He had the brain power. He had the know how. He had the perfect timing. He always won because he was so smart, resourceful, gifted and talented. |  |
The Apostle Paul seemed to be this type of guy
in some respects, as he always managed
to get out of trouble. Oh yes, he was beaten with rods several times,
shipwrecked and once even left for dead, but somehow he seemed to recover and go
on to the next missionary destination. There are times when I think Paul is some
sort of super hero who is more than human. I fight the urge to believe Paul is
something neither I nor any other Christian could ever be. (In some respects
that is true, as God used Paul to write much of our scripture, a work that will
not be repeated by anyone else.) In other respects, though, Paul was just as
human as we are, and still God used him in extraordinary ways. The difference
between McGyver and Paul is that Paul would never want us to look at him and
claim he was awesome, smart, clever or brave. Paul continued to point away from
himself and put the spotlight on Christ. Paul reminded the church at Corinth
that he did not come to them with “excellent speech or wisdom.”
He went on to say he came to them in weakness, fear, even trembling, and
his words were not persuasive human words but the power of God. His ministry was
not to demonstrate how godly a man he was, but how great and powerful his God
was and is. Paul was a sinner saved by grace, trusting in the risen Lord and
desiring to know Jesus Christ and His death on the cross.
God doesn’t need super heroes who are smart, clever, or
brave. God is interested in using willing people like the Apostle Paul and
anyone else who will employ the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. How does
He want to use you? Are you willing?
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
By this My Father is glorified,
that you bear much fruit; so you will be My
disciples.”
John 15:7-8
By Pastor Tim