Today is the morning-after for me. Easter season is usually the busiest for pastors, and we had a very exhilarating day yesterday celebrating Easter with our community.

The day reminded me of my personal shortcomings. I wish I were more outgoing and sociable. It’s not that I’m not sociable. I like people. But being around them constantly, exhaust me. To the point where I shut down and I want to go into to a quiet corner and read a book! How great it would be if I was more natural at making small-talks with people and get energized by it? So, I strive. I strive to change and learn things that are not natural for me. If it’s good for the kingdom, then I should be all for it…

I share this because I think some of us Christians who believe in the sovereignty of God (God is in control of all things) simply resort to the way things are and never strive against it. But this can easily be an excuse to stay comfortable and self-centered. For example, I could think, “Since God made me an introvert, I can never speak in front of people and therefore, I will stay in the background and do only what I feel comfortable doing.” Now, I feel far more comfortable doing things in the background than being in front of people and addressing them, even though I’ve been a preacher for 25 years! However, I will go with what God had called me to be and I will go against my nature to accomplish His mission for me.

“But by the grace of God i am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” 1 Cor. 15:10

Do you see how Paul understood the sovereignty of God and man’s responsibility? He knew God’s calling. But it was he (Paul) who worked. He didn’t just sit back and watch God do everything. He knew he was an instrument that God will use to achieve His will.

So, trust God and strive hard! And how do you know if you are striving too hard? When you start getting anxious about it. That’s when you start trusting your own abilities rather than God’s.

PH