Being Used For God

Job 42:2

"I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Christian writer C.S. Lewis wrote: "For God seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of an eye." Without using a specific Bible verse, Lewis seems to summarize a principle in all of the Bible that characterizes how God ensures the things get done that He wants to have happen.

Instead of continuously intervening through direct miracles or angelic beings constantly inserting themselves into the affairs of men, the Lord uses us, weak and broken people, to participate in His work and make sure His purpose is carried out.

This is the point of the Biblical story in the book of Esther. She was a captive Hebrew in Babylon but through strange events she had been chosen to be queen after winning a beauty contest. The king of this pagan country was then duped into signing a decree that all Jews would be killed because one of his governors had a grudge and declared that Israelites were a blight on the nation. Esther's uncle asked her to approach the king and plead for their lives. She was afraid to take such a stand knowing that the king could have her executed in a fit of rage. But her uncle said, "... if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…" He knew that God would carry out His purpose and that if Esther did not choose to be His instrument, the Lord would find someone else and some other way to get the job done.

This is an important way to understand God's sovereign will over mankind and even in your life. It is a sign of real faith. The Lord maintains a delicate balance between offering each person a choice and yet He will not let His plans and purposes be prevented. Yes, He will expect you to respond to His call to obedience and so you can be used to carry out His will for someone else.

You may meet a stranger who needs help and has been praying that God would provide. You may stop to say an encouraging word to a fellow worker just when they are about to give up on life. You may be led by God's Spirit to call a relative and help them move when everyone else had forgotten about them.

We are called to be His hands and feet even though we move slowly and make mistakes when He could pull off miracles and walk on water. Determine today that you will obey what He tells you to do. Start your day reminding yourself that because of what Jesus has done for you, this is a day when you will put others needs above your own. Don't forget, the Lord used someone else to bring the Gospel to you and someone else to help you get free from the bondage that had claim on your life. Be ready today to be an instrument of His will in your world.