Perfectly Inadequate

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. there are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial. 1 Cor. 12:4-7

I feel inadequate. Really, I have all kinds of reasons why I should be scared to death every time I hit send on a manuscript to an editor, or even click "publish" on this blog. There are tons of excuses I have that could keep me from ever fitting a headset mic around my ear and opening my mouth in front of people to speak. There are even more reasons why I might think it'd be a better idea to sit at home this July and work on a killer tan, poolside with a fountain Coke Zero in hand, instead of boarding a plane for Uganda to lead a women's conference. Just this weekend I finished reading "Radical" by David Platt and immediately texted a friend that I should probably just go ahead and throw at least two chapters of the book I'm working on in the trash. My measly attempts at saying some of the very same things come up way short in comparison. It's like that one nightmare I had where I got a new bicycle and signed up to ride in the Tour de France. Aside from the fact that there is not enough padding on those seats to make it comfortably down my driveway, and the other fact that in the last 25 years I've never actually ridden farther than that anyway, I had Lance Armstrong to contend with. Why even do the thing? Shouldn't we all just watch him, instead? I was in way over my head.

Honestly, it doesn't matter how many people tell me otherwise, or how impressive things seem by the standards of American Christian culture. On my own, I know that I am inadequate to do the tasks that God has given me to do. But what some might call a lack of self-esteem, I have come to understand as necessary, vital truth. Praise God: He never intends for His children to serve Him in their own strength.

Let's face it; we struggle with that. There are plenty of Christians who do not serve. I'm not talking about committees, nursery duty, and the week formerly known as VBS, either. I'm talking about the daily use of the gifts that God has given us to reach the world for Christ. Either we do not know how we are gifted, we focus on our inadequacies, or we simply do not think it is our responsibility to do so. Maybe we think it's better that we leave it to those we deem more gifted. But take a closer look at 1 Cor. 12:4-7. Most sermons, Bible studies, and even personal reflections on 1 Cor. 12:4-7 focus on the "different gifts" part of the passage. I think maybe that's where we've messed up.

Either Paul had a terrible habit of repeating himself, or he was trying to make a point. Three times, in three different ways, he said that each of us has the same power in us, leading and equipping us to do God's work. I don't think it was because he had a bad habit or a sudden bout of short-term memory loss.

Our emphasis is on self. We forget that the entire Bible, cover to cover, has one subject, and it is not you or me. God is the central character throughout. This has huge implications, and our understanding and use of spiritual gifts is no exception. The same God that leads David Platt and Francis Chan to speak truth into the lives of thousands of people leads you and me to serve and affect the world far beyond the power of our own ability to do so. The same Spirit who gifts Chris Tomlin to write God-exalting music that crosses generational barriers gifts you to impact His kingdom. The same Lord who uses Tim Tebow to challenge the hearts and minds of professional football players and fans across the nation wants to use you to transform the lives of countless others.

It's not that we're not equipped to do God's will. We are. It's that we don't allow His Spirit to reveal and utilize His power and gifts in us. And on that Sunday each year when we hear a convicting sermon about how we should all be using our gifts to serve the church, we head out with good intentions, but often don't even make it to the end of the driveway because we're more focused on our own talents and desires than on His gifts and will. The bottom line is found in verse 7. The Spirit of God isn't pouring all His efforts to reach the world into a few really awesomtastic people. His power is limitless, and He wants to pour it out in you, too, for the benefit of His kingdom.  

You feel inadequate? Good. You’re exactly the kind of person the Holy Spirit can equip to do great works for the glory of God.