Do you trust yourself? I mean, really, trust yourself?
I have noticed a little trend in my house. My son asks me for something, I clearly say no and then he asks me again and again until I say yes. Feeling frustrated that I gave in, I ask myself, “Why can’t I hold firm?”
Underneath it all, I know it is because I doubt my decision. I fear that my direction is all wrong, that he will suffer as a result and that things will not work out in my favor.
This kind of thinking is not isolated to parenting. In many arenas of life, I ask myself:
Will people want to move with me if I am honest?
Will they get angry if I tell the truth?
What will they think of me if I am real to me?
How will things play out if I take a hard stand?
This gets me to wondering, what would happen if I happened to stand in the shoes of John the baptist, or rather, in the water with him? As I stood there, face-to-face with Jesus, looking into his eyes, him standing before me, would I repeat the same words as John?
“I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” Mt. 3:14
Absolutely, I would!
But, the real question is-how would I respond when Jesus replied, “Let it be…? Mt. 3:15
Would I argue with him? “But Jesus,
I really am just this sinner who has no right to honor you in this way?”
Would I laugh and hand the baton to someone else saying,
“I don’t want to be responsible if things don’t go well”?
Would I baptize but be filled with grief
that I am not performing up to the standards of – ahem – God?!
Would I put his body under, yet miss the moment,
because I was filled with anxiety?
When we live unsure of our calling, we miss the chance to live it.
I praise God that John was obedient, submissive and honoring to the will of God, despite his flaws.
When we live questioning our abilities, we live by inability.
Yet, because John listened, Jesus was able to display incredible humility, submissive honor to God and a relatable human-nature that is touching to see.
When we letting our minds pull us around on a leash, we live chained like a dog.
John received an honor that no one in the whole world would ever have, only because he accepted.
Do you act decisively and accept the gifts of God
or do you run, skip and hike over them, landing on safer ground?
One who answers the call of God, has an opportunity to hear the incredible and sees the unthinkable. Taking a step towards his will, means taking a step towards his heart.
The result is sometimes unexplainable:
At that moment heaven was opened, and (Jesus) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Mt. 3:16-17
Could you imagine the honor John must have felt to be a part of this extravaganza? Can you imagine the heart-pumping honor it would be to watch the literal presence of God, the Spirit, descend like a dove? Can you imagine the million little light bulbs that would be flashing in your mind as you heard the approval that God grants over his beloved children?
I praise God that John basically said, “This is me. I am unsaintly, perhaps unsightly, unable and unworthy to have this honor, but if God is entrusting it to me, I will do it anyway.”
How often should we speak the same to our self? “This is me. I am unsaintly, perhaps unsightly, unable and unworthy to have this honor, but if God is entrusting it to me, I will do it anyway.”
What glorious unveiling may we be walking into-and not even know?
Hi, I’m visiting from FMF. This is a great post- I had never thought of the story of John the Baptist in that way before. It is important to focus on God’s ability rather than our own inabilities- and yes, I do need to speak this to myself: “This is me. I am unsaintly, perhaps unsightly, unable and unworthy to have this honor, but if God is entrusting it to me, I will do it anyway.”
Thank you for visiting Carly. It is a pleasure to have you.
Hi Kelly, This post is SO true! My husband and I finally made the decision that I go back to work and I’m honestly trying to make a change in careers. It’s been really scary to leave the familiar and venture into the unfamiliar. I find myself doubting abilities that in other circumstances, I know I have. It’s that whisper of disillusionment, the scrap of truth couched in deceit. That’s Satan. I know. So, prayer. Scripture. It’s the only way to battle the doubt and I know God is faithful. I love your analogy. Yes. Trust in Him!
Your post today is very thought-provoking. I need to go look at John the Baptist some more. I haven’t thought of him in that way before.
This is such an inspiring post, Kelly. May I be like John the Baptist and keep pressing ahead, even when I feel unworthy or unsure of myself. As I once heard Max Lucado say, God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. So blessed by your words today, friend.
Kelly, The title of your blog post drew me in as I am facing the possibility of a becoming a full-time Pastor’s wife and I am wrestling with all the things you mentioned.
I found so much encouragement and courage as I read your insights and the example of John the Baptist.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for these encouraging words! I love that Christ gives us the capability when we feel incapable! I can’t imagine how John must have felt being in the very presence of God and being used by Him. It’s amazing to me that the God of the universe chooses to use us for His glory!
The last couple of years have been so rough that if I were placed in John the Baptist’s shoes, I’d probably say, “Dude, whoa, sure, no problem…close your eyes.”
I’m not sure of myself, but dying has made me sure IN myself, which is quite different, and I’m OK with me, and OK with God.
Here from FMF, #6 this week.
Oh man, I needed to hear this! After many months of reluctance, I’m finally answering God’s call for me to write. My blog goes live in about two weeks and I’ve been feeling so unworthy and ill equipped. This post was a great breath of fresh air. I don’t have to be worthy, just obedient. Thanks for the encouragement!
Kelly… Kelly…Kelly… how did you KNOW? This post pushed past all of the debris and went straight for my heart! I know that you could not have known because you don’t personally know me, but God does, and He allowed you to put these words together (like this) because this is exactly how I needed to hear them. “Would I put His body under… yet miss the moment?” Wow, I need to sit with this a while… (#45)
I wrote down a quote from this post to my journal to always look back to for encouragement: “One who answers the call of God, has an opportunity to hear the incredible and sees the unthinkable. Taking a step towards His will means taking a step towards His heart.” Beautiful words & a timely post for me as I am held back by fear & doubt to do something I really feel led to do. Here’s to taking that leap of faith, and being brave! Thank you Kelly.