His Faithfulness Inspires
'As each one as [already] received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen'
-1 Peter 4:10-11
The thing that struck me most as I made my way to work, was that a 'Faith that Inspires' doesn't mean I need to do big and great things that will draw crowds by the thousands (and goodness I'm thankful for that because I don't think that is a gift God has given me) but that it is learning to be faithful with what God has given us because He is faithful. Through that message that I heard and other things that have happened throughout the week, I was reminded that God has called me to be faithful in word, in deed and in attitude.
Of course this is nothing new but as I was considering how I have been inspired by other people's faith, I realised that it isn't necessarily the great speech that I heard or that great miracle that occurred that was particularly inspiring but the amazing character of God that is being manifested through that person. Isn't it incredible to think that God is just as willing to grant us that wisdom that renders even the person with the highest IQ dumbfounded? Isn't it incredible to think that God is just as willing to give us strength beyond our ability? Isn't it incredible to think that God is just as willing to use little ol' me? Well, I think that is pretty cool. What is even more amazing is that I don't really need to do anything for that to happen! What I mean is that I don't need to try and do something crazy in order for God to manifest Himself through me. He has ALREADY given me gifts and talents and abilities and whenever I open my mouth or whenever I see an opportunity to lend a helping hand, God can do something extra-ordinary with that because that's what He specialises in!
So, let us all continue to do good with all zeal that God would take we have and "extra-ordinaririse" it to inspire those around us. Incidentally, I was also encouraged to be reminded of God's faithfulness in Himself as I saw a rainbow on my way to work this morning... not that this would mean much to you but it was pretty after a stormy night.
'I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.' - Jeremiah 32:40
All glory and praise be to the One who calls us and is faithful and will do it (Thessalonions 5:24).
