I recently finished Mark Batterson’s book Soulprint. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. In his book, Mark points out that “the journey of self discovery begins with asking God. Who am I? because true self discovery happens only in the presence of God.” King David asked it in 2 Samuel 8:18 in gratitude when he prayed “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought my family this far?”
The author makes a point of reminding the reader that even more important than the question Who am I? is who we direct that question to. Had David believed his father, he never would have been anything more than a shepherd boy who sung to his sheep. His own relatives doubted his potential. But, and this is a big but, when we pose this question in the appropriate direction then, and only then, do we receive an answer we can depend on and trust.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you…(Exodus 3:11-12a)
This morning I read the above verses in Exodus. Moses is questioning God on who he is that he should be the one to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Who am I, God?
I love God’s answer. I will be with you.
God doesn’t give Moses a list of reasons why he is the right man for the job. Why?
Because who we belong to will always carry more weight than who we are when God desires to use us.
Sometimes when God calls us to do something difficult we immediately look at our limitations. I am not qualified for the job, God. But, God reminds us that if He is on our side, if He is with us, we have everything we need.
Today, I want to trust the opinion of the only One that matters.
I belong to Him. He is with me.
Great post, Eileen! I know I will be thinking about this for a while. I am far too easily influenced by what others think of me, and I needed to hear this challenge!
Glad it encouraged you, Jessie. I needed to hear it too!
Eileen, this is great! It doesn’t matter what anyone says, including me. It only matters that God is with me!
Isn’t that the truth, Jenifer. We can be our worst critics!
God’s voice of truth should be the only voice I need to hear, but too often I seek that approval from other sources. The only opinion that matters at all is His. Great encouragement, Eileen!
Wow, this is so what I needed to hear today. As long as God is with us we can do anything for Him. I will remember this when I have hesitations about teaching the kids on Sunday. For a while, I was worried I wasn’t as good enough to do this job, but as long as God speaks through me, I don’t need to fear, just be a kid- to a point.