An Open Door P.2
Symbolizations for this entry (aids in understanding):
An open door = A door that leads to the promises of God
The lesson I’ll be teaching speaks of the impulse to self glorify. Instantly, I thought of my call to teach. I realized that my fear arose from an impulse to self glorify. See I was not afraid because I wanted to succeed in the eyes of the Lord, I was afraid because I wanted to succeed in the eyes of man. In other words, I wanted to be glorified or applauded for my knowledge of the word, but of course, that’s not why God called me. He called me because I would rather be silent and write. He called me so that when I open my mouth in front of the church, they will know that it is all of Him and none of me because of my battle with social anxiety. I used to deal with social anxiety by hiding or just not showing up, but you can’t hide when you’re sitting in front facing the whole church. I can’t do it, so my only option is to decrease, so that He may increase. I know one thing, if I increase which will then cause Him to decrease, I’m not showing up…
Fear sometimes arises when we feel unsure of our ability to succeed where God is leading us. I think it’s important that we realize that God would not lead us where He does not believe we will eventually succeed. It’s important to realize that it’s God who is put on display not you. If it is God who has called you, then you must know that He plans on getting the glory from your situation. Because you’re obviously not capable on your own by your own standards and probably by the standards of others, God gets the glory when you exceed all expectations including your own.
I like to think everything happens for a reason, and in some way shape or form whatever God asks of you plays into His ultimate will. That being the case, the prayer given in part 1 is key. See, fear at times leads us astray the will of God, but when we are careful to decrease and allow God to increase, we then are able to confidently walk into what God has asked us to knowing that it's all Him and none of us.
Scripture to reflect on:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10) That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Galatians 1:10:
10) “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
See Part 1 & 3…
