You get the idea - because you've probably been right there with me in some of those vulnerable times. Spiritually speaking, our enemy is smart - he knows right where to pounce to make me feel like I can't do something, or that I am a failure, or that I am not good enough. So think with me for a minute about this issue of adequacy and let's see what God's Word says.
Okay, do NOT quit reading after my first statement or you will leave feeling beat up.
1) You may be inadequate in some areas! I am inadequate in some - we all are. If we weren't, why would we need a Savior? But I can promise you this, based on scripture, that whatever He calls you to do or wherever He calls you to go, you will be adequate because He is more than enough!
Remember Moses? His feelings of inadequacy and inferiority are described in Exodus 3 and 4. God called Moses to return to Egypt to bring God's people out of slavery and into the Promised Land - a pretty scary and daunting task.
- But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" Ex. 3:11
- Then Moses said, "What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?" Ex. 4:1
- Then Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in times past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Ex. 4:10
God continually reassured Moses that He would go with him, and He showed him evidence of His mighty power. But Moses continued to wiggle and doubt until Ex. 4:14 says, "Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses..."
It's not like Moses didn't know the power and awesomeness of God. He had just met Him at the burning bush for pete's sake! As the story continued, Moses did go to Pharaoh, but he took along his brother Aaron to do the talking. God did use Moses, but I wonder what blessings he missed because he was not totally submissive to God.
But, friend, we are so like Moses, listening to the enemy whisper those lines of inadequacy and insecurity in our ears.
2) You are adequate - if Jesus is your Lord and Savior - for whatever He calls you to do and wherever He calls you to go. I am adequate! WOW! If He has called you to further your education, you are adequate; if He has called you to be a parent, you are adequate; if He has called you to a particular job or profession, you are adequate; if He has called you to minister to your neighbor, you are adequate.
Here's what I've learned (not that I am perfect at living it out!): I am adequate because He is more than adequate, more than enough! My adequacy is in Him.
- Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God who also made us adequate... 2 Cor. 3:4-6
- But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption... 1 Cor. 1:30
We are told in 2 Tim. 1:9 that He has saved us and called us with a holy calling - not because of anything we have done or can do, but because He has a purpose for us and gives us the grace to fulfill that purpose through Jesus Christ.
You see, He's not going to give us a job to do and not equip us to do it; He's not going to put us somewhere and not give us what we need to live there. That's not His character - not who He is.
So, friend, we all have times when we don't feel adequate for the task before us. But that's just what it is - a feeling. The facts rest in Jesus, and because He is my Savior, He is all the adequacy I need.
- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
