Lies We Believe – Week Four

One of my favorite things to do is help people and organizations find their sweet spot and soar to new levels. Yet far too often, I observe people (including myself) falling short of what they are capable of and missing out on all that God has for them.

The New Testament teaches that every true believer has a spiritual gift. The concept of spiritual gifts is simple yet not always easy to fully embrace. A spiritual gift is an area where you are uniquely gifted and equipped, but unlike your personality and natural gifts, you cannot exercise it without the Holy Spirit.

One key to understanding spiritual gifts is knowing our goal is not to replicate someone else’s but rather to make our own contribution to God’s kingdom. Each person’s spiritual gift is meant to be utilized and benefit others. Therefore, when you don’t exercise your spiritual gifts, you withhold blessings from those around you. (If you want to learn more, check out 1 Corinthians 12 or Romans 12.)

Think about your life for a moment. Do you see the Spirit moving through you in a way that is beyond your ability? If the answer is yes, my guess is you are exercising your spiritual gift. If your answer is no, then not only are you missing out on God’s gifting, but the people around you are missing out on the ministry God desires to channel through you.

It is easy to convince ourselves that God’s assignments are meant for someone else more talented and skilled. But the truth is God’s assignments are only accomplished by God’s power. I am reminded of the words of the prophet Zechariah, “‘not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 NASB)

Without a doubt, I believe that God wants to work through you in a way that you cannot orchestrate or control. But walking with God and living by the Spirit takes surrendering and trust. We will never fully live out God’s plan for us without moving into the unconformable and uncertain. The question is, what will we cling to? Do we hold on to God and His Word, or do we rely on our ability?

Let’s look at a well-known man – Moses. If you’ve studied Moses’s life, you know that God greatly used him, but he also had some wavering moments where he doubted God and limited God’s power flowing through Him. Exodus 4 gives us a glimpse into one such moment. After God ordains Moses to rescue the Israelites from Egypt, Moses questions how a man like him can carry out this mission.

Moses says, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?” (Exodus 4:1) God responds with several signs and wonders to convince Moses of His power. But Moses remains doubtful “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) Moses has taken inventory – he has never been a great speechmaker and doesn’t anticipate his limited skills to change anytime soon.

God is not surprisingly angry with this response. He reminds Moses that He was the one who made His mouth and sends him forth, “Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” (Exodus 4:12)

And God was with Moses. Moses led the people out of Egypt. He saw God’s power unleashed and the captives set free.

But Moses also missed out. Instead of being the mouthpiece of God, Moses’s brother Aaron was the voice used to speak God’s words on Moses’s behalf. Moses believed the lie that he was inadequate. He let his lack of talent limit God’s power in his life.

Like Moses, I have believed the lie that I am inadequate and, as a result, missed out on opportunities to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through me. But I have also had moments of surrender when I have seen the Holy Spirit flow and do far beyond what I am capable of my own.

What about you?

What spiritual gift has God given you? What assignment has He entrusted you with? Like God would be with Moses’ mouth, He will be with you and whatever skill He calls you to exercise. Don’t miss the opportunity to minister because of what you can’t do. Trust the God who can do the impossible – even in and through you.