"Be the man that I have called you to be."
Often times we know the things that God has set aside for us to do. And often times we hold back from doing those things for reasons like: the fear of failure, concern over our ability or inability, what if I'm not liked or appreciated, etc. The truth is that we have no idea how far we can go, in what we have been given to do, unless we step toward the goal. Our perceived ability or inability is completely unknown as it has yet to be tested. It is all, in reality, a unknown variable that is out of our control.
In the case where we look in our past a remember past failure and allow that to be the force that holds us back from a possible future, we are challenged to change our thinking about failure. Is failure the mark of limitation, or is failure an opportunity to learn how to go farther?
The challenge is to our way of thinking. Do we believe that God can do things through people with failings? Or do we believe that He labels us as unusable or somehow flawed in our design, even though that would infringe on His reputation as designer? Or does He view our recognition of our inability to accomplish a goal with our present ability a catalyst for His glory? If we are unable to accomplish a goal, and place ourselves in the position to trust Him to guide us through a process of meeting the right people, learning the necessary skills, and finding ourselves in the right moment for the right opportunity, then He receives the glory for the things we were unable to control. In a sense, He shares the glory with us, as He brought us to the place where we enjoy a certain level of success.
The outcome of a realized goal becomes a mosaic of variables that we could not fit in the proper place, and our steps, into what we cannot control, toward the goal is faith. A faith in His ability to bring the pieces together. A faith that He will use someone who might not have it all together, and may not be altogether complete when the goal is reached. This is the progression "from glory to glory." (2 Cor. 3:18)
And in this "progression" from one degree of glory to another, we find that the success we enjoy in a goal met was never the Spirit's goal. His goal was primarily that we as individuals and as a corporate body would reveal the glory of Jesus to a greater degree. And still in our success, by His power, He will show Himself to others, and this is where those who see Him will begin their "progression."
So, the Spirit says, "Be the man that I have called you to be." As we deal with the insecurities that hold us back from moving in faith. Remember that, rather in success or failure, He is moving us all to a place of real success, our projection of His image to a world, that when they look in the mirror, only see themselves and their limitations. Don't be afraid to take a step toward what He has called you to do. As the writer of Hebrews warned, "3:13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. 3:14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. 3:15 As it says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
If you understand that He has given you direction, move.
