Things You Thought You Couldn't Do

In 1997, James Cameron directed a movie that won first seat in the box office for many months. Most of us have at least heard of it, some of us saw it and if you were anything like me you would have done just about anything to ride on the bow of a ship with your arms out just like Kate Winslet. Yes, you guessed it….The Titanic. This ship in all its glory was amazing. Even though it was made into a chart topping movie, it truly had a spot in history. Three years and countless shipbuilders later, the ship was built and in three hours it found itself at the bottom of the Atlantic. Sadly enough that is all it took for such a large ship to find its way at the lowest point of the sea.

Recently, I came across this quote, “Professionals built the Titanic, but the ark was built by amateurs.” As I reflected on the quote, It reminded me that God truly does “equip the called, he doesn’t call the equipped.”  Through the Lord’s provision, Noah was able to save humanity because of the ark. Noah’s obedience and faith saved his family and two of every animal that ever lived. All the while, I am sure rubbing his head wondering just how he was going to pull the Ark off.......

 Often times we have such a hard time believing that we too would be called to take part in God’s work in such a mighty way. It may be because of the past decisions we have made, maybe lies that have taken root in our heart, or insecurities that we carry. God calls us all in different capacities. Perhaps you are parenting a child with a disability, taking care of your own parent, or you may have been called into ministry, the list goes on.  Over and over again in the Bible the Lord chose the weak to lead the strong and truly turned beauty into ashes. Paul went around persecuting Christians before his transformation, Jonah ran away from his calling and ended up in a fish, Mary was never married, Nehemiah was just a cupbearer, Zaccheus was too small, Martha worried, the disciples fell asleep while praying, Jacob was a liar, and Abraham was too old. See everybody has something. It’s what you do with that something that makes all the difference. 

“Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on in completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

The key to taking on this magnificent challenge is to worship God with all your heart and continue to soak in how awesome He truly is. When we praise God for all His goodness we focus on the power that comes from Him. We reposition our minds on the strength, courage, and ability that we attain from the Lord and not on what looks impossible. By this we are able to go one extra mile, to love one more hour, to forgive one more time, to pray just a little longer. All the while remembering we serve a perfect God, we don’t have to be perfect just obedient.  So today, I challenge you that when things get bleak continue to remind yourself of the ways that God has empowered you in your past and remember that He who has called you will provide all of your needs just as He did for Noah and all the others.

“My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out my Father’s hand, and I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

Ashley McDougal

Ashley is the Children's pastor for 3N1 Church in Virginia. Her passion is to see the Church being Christ's Church consistently no matter where they are and of course Children!! For more info on 3N1 you can check out their website at http://3n1church.com.