"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me"
(John 6:38).
I can definitely tell you that staying in '0-star' hotels in India is against my will. Enduring the scary traffic, the jet-lag, the dirt, the bugs and the pollution is against my will. But God has said, 'if you are willing to deny your will, then I will show you greater fruitfulness.' Often I have not been 'willing' to do what God asks. But often God asks what is opposite of my will.
A good friend of mine has a great church and is a great leader. He also 'serves' on the board of several smaller ministries. I commented to him how God is giving him such favor across denominational lines. I did not forget his reply- "God told me if I was 'willing to be hidden' in service, then He would use me openly."
We all tend to determine 'God's will' based upon our temperament. Our personal bias often excludes us from even considering anything outside of our comfort zone or personal giftings.
So it is with sharing our faith.We say, "I don't have the 'gift of evangelism." We often don't 'feel led' because our personal will won't let us. Being Christ's witness today will require me to deny myself today, and lay down my rights.
When I decide to be His witness, I will walk down new roads, meet 'strange' people that are different than me, and will often 'feel' uneasy as I speak in faith. But this is the faith-adventure we have all been called to live! God leads us; then He takes us on a scary-exciting journey of learning to depend on His voice, and not our own strengths!
So today I have a challenge for you. Will you pray that God will lead you to share His love with a soul He loves today? Your will is the fulcrum of the decision process. Even Jesus 'emptied Himself' of His own rights to do His own will, and cried, 'not my will, but thine be done.'
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
P.S. Join the "Harvest Club" by supporting Oasis World Ministries for $29/month. more...
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