October 27, 2022
When You Feel God Has the Wrong Girl for the Job
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38–39).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever been in a situation when you felt God calling your name to a particular task, and at the same time you felt that He had the wrong person for the job?
I remember when I felt God calling me to become a counselor at a Pregnancy Care Center during a time when I was going through infertility struggles. “Lord,” I said, “You’ve got the wrong person for the job. How can I talk to women who are in a crisis pregnancy situation when all I want is a pregnancy situation? Nope you’ve got the wrong gal.”
Moses felt the same way when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. “Who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh?” he cried.
Look at how God answered Moses.
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12, emphasis added).
It was almost as if He ignored the question on the table and told Moses what he really needed to know. “I will be with you.” In other words, “Don’t worry about who you are. Concentrate on Who I AM. I’ll be with you. I’ve got this. You just hang on tight.”
Isn’t it a comfort to know that God is always with you? Always! David wrote:
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me.
Your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7–10).
Paul wrote:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38–39).
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s words to the Israelites also apply to you and me: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5).
God’s presence envelops us as we live and move and have our being in Him. So many times we glibly suggest or imploringly beg for God to be with us as if we have to coax Him out of hiding. David debunks that idea. There is no place we can go that is away from God’s presence. Most Christians would say they believe this truth, but then live like they don’t.
So, when God calls us to a task, we aren’t going in alone. He’s going with us to empower and equip us.
One day I was praying for my son, a prayer that had almost become as rote as “God is great. God is good.” “God, please be with Steven today,” I whispered.
Just as abruptly as a referee’s whistle calling foul, God stopped me mid-sentence. Why do you pray that every day? He seemed to say. I AM with Steven. I’m with him every day. Why do you ask for something he already has as if you don’t believe Me?
God was right! Imagine that. So I amended my mother’s prayer. “Dear Lord, please help Steven be aware of Your presence today.”
The truth of God’s here-ness and nearness is punctuated throughout Scripture. So no matter what you are going through or what God has called you to, remember, He is right there with you. You’re never alone. And you can do whatever He calls you to do.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that You are with me. I can do everything that You have called me to do because of Your power working in my weakness.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is one thing that you feel like God is calling you to do, but you’ve felt like He’s got the wrong girl for the gig? What do you think He is saying to your reluctance?
More from the Girlfriends
Let’s get unstuck from mediocre faith and take hold of all that God has done for us and put in us! No more spiritual couch potato for me. I’m ready for the mountain moving, giant slaying, bold believing faith that God intended all along! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, and Live Bold you’ll see how to ignite your faith as never before.
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© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Thursday, 27 October 2022.