Ever felt insignificant? Ever felt like you weren’t quite up to what
God has called you to do or the opportunities that are in your path?
Well, you’re not alone! The apostle Paul felt the very same thing
about the Corinthian church and he writes about it in 2 Cor 3.
If you know anything about the Church at Corinth you know that Paul
was involved in what you might call ‘messy ministry’. With all the
great things that were going on in that church there were also a lot
of messed up things and personal arguments at a leadership level.
You’ve got to remember that Jesus said let the wheat and the weeds
grow together (Matt 13:29). Don’t expect your ministry to produce a
perfect crop! And don’t forget the weeds aren’t your fault or to do
with you, if you read what Jesus said it was the enemy that planted
the weeds – ‘messy ministry’.
So once you get over that and realise some things aren’t your fault
what if you still don’t feel like you’re up to the job? Well let’s
look at Paul’s response in 2 Cor 3. In verse 4 he says we have ‘such
confidence towards God’. What a great thing to have. If you look back
over your walk with Jesus has he ever let you down? Hasn’t he always
come through? For us at PFG we prayed about 6 months ago for 120
people and took a massive and risky step of faith – and God proved
true. You can probably think of your own answers to encourage your
faith or other stories you’ve heard.
So first things first: you can have massive confidence in God! Perhaps
in even more ways than you’ve done so far. Is it time for you to take
a risk or branch out into what God is calling you too. You might not
know where you’re going, but like Abraham you can start down the road
even if you’re not quite sure where it’s going (Gen 12:4). It’s time
to venture out in your faith rather than retreat into your doubts.
Secondly that didn’t stop Paul in verse 5 from knowing that ‘we are
not sufficient of ourselves’ and not ‘to think of anything as being
from ourselves’. The key here is to distinguish between you and God!
You are you and the apostle was just Paul. He wasn’t sufficient and
didn’t think anything came from him. It wasn’t down to him that his
ministry flourished, it wasn’t because he was special or clever or
good-looking, it was all down to God. Of course Paul got this from
Jesus who said ‘without me you can do nothing’. On your own, without
God, if it was just you, nothing is happening. But with God ‘all
things are possible’ (Matt 19:26) and ‘I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me’ (Phil 4:13).
So if you’re not feeling up to it – it’s because you’re not! The
sooner you learn that the sooner you can relax and start depending on
God. You see He has ‘made us sufficient as ministers’ (2 Cor 3:6). Did
you read that? He has made us sufficient and ‘we have this ministry’
(2 Cor 4:1). God’s not going to take away what he’s given. Infact his
‘gifts and calling are irrevocable (Rom 11:29) – that means he won’t
take them away!
That’s why Paul goes on to say that ‘we have this treasure in jars of
clay’ (2 Cor 4:7). That’s the dichotomy, the distinction, the solution
to our feelings of inadequacy. We are jars of clay, but we have an
inexhaustible, infinite, eternal treasure inside. And there’s a very
good reason for that: ‘that the excellence of the power may be of God
and not of us’ (2 Cor 4:7). God has made it, intended it and arranged
it this way. Why? That He should get the glory. So next time you’re
feeling inadequate, thinking of giving up or that it’s getting too
messy – think of it as your opportunity. To give glory to God for his
calling and treasure that he’s put in you and to fulfil the calling
and ministry he’s given you.
Don’t shrink back, step forward, stand up, set off and start moving in
what God has called you to. Of course you’re an earthern vessel and a
jar of clay – the problem was thinking you were something else! Now
get on with it and start giving some glory to God! Other people need
you so don’t back down now, instead start reaching, expecting and
pushing to greater heights. Bring on your ministry!
