Coming to The End of Self-Sufficiency
For any congregation or individual to be used effectively by God, it need to come to the end of self-sufficiency and learn how to depend on God’s resources and direction.Consider Moses. The first 40 years of his life had been magnificent as he lives the life of an Egyptian Prince. The last 40 years of his life were absolutely amazing as he served God by leading the people of Israel out of Egyptian captivity and toward the Promised Land. The middle 40 years of his life, however, were totally miserable. In his book Grace Rules, Steve McVey writes that during these middle four decades of his life, God was:“…bringing Moses to the end of himself and his confidence in his abilities so that he might know and rest in the ability of God.”
McVey continues:
“In Exodus 3-4, the account is told of Moses’ encounter with God. God reveals to him that He plans to use him to deliver the Hebrews from bondage. Yet because of his circumstances, Moses had probably developed some serious doubts about his ability as a leader. He may have thought that because he was a shepherd tending to sheep, he had lost his people skills. He may have reasoned, “The only ability that I can count on any more is my skill as a shepherd.”
Next God asked: “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.”
The staff was the symbol of Moses abilities as a shepherd. With that staff he was surviving through his abilities to herd sheep.
“As Christians…we sometimes find ourselves living dependent on our own resources, rather than really trusting and depending on God.” (McVey)
What resources do we find ourselves depending on rather than trusting in God?
Here’s what God was saying to Moses (and to each of us)
Throw down your self-confidence. Throw down your self-sufficiency. Throw down your trust in your resources, gifts, and abilities. Throw down everything that becomes an object of your reliance so that you might totally depend on ME!
Grace Rules: Living in the Kingdom of God Where…
by: Steve McVey
publisher: Harvest House Publishers, published: 1998-07-01
ASIN: 1565078977
EAN: 9781565078970
sales rank: 67616
price: $3.38 (new), $0.01 (used)
Are you “living by the rules,” or are you letting God’s grace rule you?
There’s a big difference between the two. If you’re living for God–living by the rules–you’ll always be exhausted. You’ll feel that you’re not doing enough for God and that if you don’t “measure up,” He will be displeased with you.
But God never meant for the Christian life to be that way! His Love for us isn’t based on how we perform for Him. He sent Christ to set us free from rules. He didn’t call us to serve Him in our own feeble power, but to let His power flow through us–a power that is without limit!
What’s more, this power is already available to us right now. God has provided everything we need for a truly meaningful, joy-filled life here on earth…all because of His marvelous grace.
Rest in God’s grace, and let Him live through you. Find out how in Grace Rules.
