If avoidance was a sport, I’d be World Champion. Until today, I have avoided writing for over a month. It’s basically been a full-on commitment to NOT DO something I’m called to do. And, why?
Because writing feels like it will require more than I have to give.
It’s the same reason I hid from my neighbor for almost a year. (Yes, I did that.) I convinced myself she would require more than I had to give. So I avoided her. And then I felt guilty and avoided her even more out of shame. (You probably want to read how that turned out here.)
What if it DOES require more than I have to give? (Whatever “it” is at the moment.) If I walk in obedience, I WILL face things that require more than I have to give. Why do I think that’s the worst thing ever?
Those situations are the perfect setup for God to do what only He can do.
Do I really want to live a life that’s only as big as me?
Or am I willing to jump in, gingerly or boldly – who really cares – and engage in something or with someone that I realize PROBABLY WILL require more than I have to give?
The Bible says I can do all things – I can bear, I can endure, all things – through Jesus, who gives me strength. If I evaluate a situation, a relationship, a mission, based solely on MY strength, I don’t see the whole picture. The strength that comes from Jesus is foundational to the work entrusted to me on this earth.
Okay, so we’ve covered the CAN DO. But what about the WANT TO?
I may believe I CAN write, but I don’t FEEL INSPIRED. Writing – or anything, really – is beautiful when you FEEL INSPIRED, when you WANT TO DO IT. When you possess both the “CAN DO” and the “WANT TO.” The problem is, in my experience, I rarely feel inspired until I’m ALREADY WRITING. I must show up to the page, even uninspired and empty – but WILLING – and somehow, the emptiness fills and overflows into words.
A verse comes to mind. Here’s the way I memorized it years ago:
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. – Philemon 6, (NIV ©1984)
The more recent NIV reads:
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. – Philemon 6, (NIV ©2011)
In both versions, the principle is the same: the deeper understanding comes THROUGH the sharing, THROUGH the partnership, THROUGH the doing.
But we flip it, don’t we? We tell ourselves we need a full understanding of Jesus before we talk about Him, a deeper understanding of our faith before we share it. Or we don’t serve, share, or speak up until we FEEL INSPIRED.
What if we realized we have it backward?
What if we understood the deeper knowing, the inspired feeling – THE CAN DO AND THE WANT TO – comes THROUGH the doing? Rarely before.
Sisters, I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith – especially in your doubts and your mess – so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Artists, I pray that you will be active in your craft – especially in your least creative season – so that you may become inspired.
Ladies, I pray that you will be active in sharing life with your neighbor – especially when you’re terrified or, quite frankly, not interested – so that you may be filled with appreciation and affection for her.
But [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.“ 2 Corinthians 12:9
What has God called you to that you’ve procrastinated over, avoided, shied away from? It’s not too late. If He called you to it, He’s already there. Will you show up?
All the Little Pieces 