1 Peter 4:10-11
"Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
These times demand somber living. We need to live a life of soberness, tempered with watchfulness and surrounded by prayer. Continuous prayer. We need to relearn the art of charitableness or learn to put charitbleness into practice daily. We need to show brotherly love and hospitality towards one another. Most importantly, we need to realize that all of our capacities and capabilities comes from God alone. God's grace is more than enough to help us be more like Jesus. When we speak the word and become vessels of truth for our Lord, God is gloried in all that we do and say.
I know first hand what it is like to serve and to serve with the strength that God has provided for me, one day at a time. My body is tired most of my work days. I work so hard some days. When I first started cleaning my church, it took me 20 plus hours to get it ready (70thousand + square feet) and now, after many weeks of doing the same thing, sometimes the same way, sometimes a new way, I can get the same amount of work done in half the time. Have I become more efficient? Maybe, but I would like or prefer to think that I have learn to lean on God for the strength and abilities to get my work done in the best way possible. That way He will always be the one getting and receiving all the glory for the work done by my hands. Does this lessen my own abilities--no, it just puts the focus and the glory in the right direction. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Well, my heart has been drawn to think and ponder on how God is choosing the people that he has called to do the work that he has ordained, in the time and place that he needs us to be at. I can only think that it is the people who are wiling to say out loud, not in my strength Lord, but yours alone.
Blessings and peace to all.
Grandma Jane