Did you know that God has intricately woven distinct plans, dreams, and destiny into the fabric of our lives? Picture it like this: we are all custom-made vessels crafted by the Creator for His divine and specific purpose. But, you know how life goes, right? Sometimes we tend to forget who we truly are in Christ.
There are certain things that can slow down our progress, and on the flip side, there are some elements that can supercharge it. Let’s dive right in this week as we explore four key aspects, two that we need to let go of and two that we must embrace and cherish.
1. The “W” of Worry: Casting Aside Anxiety
Let’s start with our first “W” – worry. Now, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? Those moments when anxiety creeps in, making us wonder whether we should cling to our worries or just let them go. Well, the Bible, in Philippians 4:6-7, gives us some clear guidance here. It tells us to cast our worries aside. Yes, you heard that right! It urges us not to be anxious about anything but instead, to bring everything to God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. And here’s the kicker – when we do that, the peace of God, which goes way beyond our understanding, becomes our guardian in Christ Jesus.
It’s like the way we caution our kids, telling them not to touch something hot. God’s command to us is just as straightforward: “Do not worry.” As preachers, we’ve got to walk the talk, right? So, I’ll be honest with you. Worry has been my companion too, especially in the past. It can feel like a second skin, tagging along in life’s trials. But here’s the thing – God has a unique purpose for every single one of us, and worry doesn’t fit into that equation.
God has a unique purpose for every single one of us, and worry doesn’t fit into that equation.
But, when we shift our worries into prayers, that’s when the change happens. The peace of God, the kind that goes beyond understanding, starts guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It’s like a spiritual forcefield that shields us from the chaos. And you know what? Matthew 6:33 backs this up. It encourages us to seek God’s kingdom first and His righteousness. And guess what? He promises to take care of everything else. We proudly declare ourselves as “Matthew 6:33 people,” giving top priority to God’s kingdom. And when we do that, we experience a peace that goes beyond life’s challenges.
God keeps reminding me through His Word not to worry. His Word isn’t just a command, but it’s also loaded with practical wisdom. Instead of clinging to worry, His Word advises us to bring everything to God, share our needs, and express gratitude for what He’s done. I’ve seen this transformation happen in my own life. There were countless times when I used to fret, dwell, and overthink. But as I shifted my focus to prayer, the peace of God washed over me.
Here’s my challenge to you: Every time worry comes knocking, make prayer your response. Keep praying consistently, and you’ll see the peace of God rising above your circumstances. Amen!
2. Waiting: Embracing God’s Timing
Now, let’s talk about the second “W” – waiting. Waiting can be a real tough thing to do, can’t it? But here’s the deal – it’s absolutely crucial in our spiritual journey. Just like Joseph, who patiently waited in prison for a whopping 13 years, we’ve got to learn how to wait with God’s strength. Joseph’s story teaches us something really important – that during our waiting, we have a choice. We can either get bitter or get better. Joseph chose the latter, and God did use his waiting season to gear him up for a position of power and influence.
Joseph’s life story, found in Genesis chapters 37 through 41, is like a faith and perseverance rollercoaster. He ended up in prison because of his rock-solid faithfulness to God and his decision to flee from temptation. Despite the dreams God had given him, Joseph didn’t let prison break his spirit. Instead, he kept on serving faithfully during those long 13 years. Little did he know that God was refining his character, building his purity, and developing his patience.
Remember: Do not become bitter during your wait instead pray that the Lord helps you to be better…and better.
So, here’s the scoop – waiting isn’t in vain. My family and I have been praying for specific things, and we’re still waiting on the Lord. But our prayer isn’t to become bitter; it’s to become better. We aim to keep on serving God, loving Him, and cherishing the amazing people He’s placed in our lives, just like Joseph did. Remember, in his waiting, God was prepping him for greatness. Joseph went from the pit to the prison, and finally, to the palace.
Isaiah 40:31 delivers this powerful message – those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. It’s like a spiritual recharge. You’ll soar like eagles, run without getting weary, and walk without fainting. In waiting, we gain strength.
3. Weakness: Confronting Our Imperfections
Now, let’s dive into the third “W” – weakness. Here’s the deal, folks – we all have our weaknesses, and it’s super important not to sweep them under the rug. These weaknesses can come in all shapes and sizes, like pride, worldliness, lust, or any other kind of sin. Ignoring these little quirks can mess with God’s calling on our lives and even dampen our anointing.
But guess what? There’s a better way – confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9 is our trusty ally here. It assures us that if we confess our sins, God is super faithful and just to forgive us and clean us up from all that unrighteous stuff. The key is to own up to our weaknesses, bring them to God, and let Him do His transformation magic.
Our senior pastor likes to call these weaknesses “dead flies.” It’s kind of like that verse from Ecclesiastes that talks about how even a tiny bit of foolishness can spoil the fragrance of perfume. Our lives are meant to radiate the beauty of Christ, but if we don’t face our weaknesses, they’ll end up facing us. In some cultures, there’s a tendency to shift blame onto others or previous generations. But here’s the real deal – our power to overcome these weaknesses grows stronger when we take responsibility and lay them before God. So, make it a daily habit, my friend. Say, “God, I’m wrestling with this weakness,” and let Him know in prayer.
4. Wise Words: Speaking life
Now, for our final “W” – wise words. Let me tell you, using wise words isn’t just a great idea; it’s a biblical principle that can seriously change our lives. Think of it like this: In Genesis 1, we got a front-row seat to the incredible power of God’s words. He spoke, and Voila! creation happened. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Now, that’s some serious word power!
Genesis 1:27 also reminds us that we are uniquely created in the image of God. This divine image includes the ability to communicate through words, and it underscores the responsibility we have in how we use them.
Proverbs 18:21 goes even deeper, declaring that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” In plain speak, our words have the power to either build people up or tear them down, bring life or cause harm. So, it’s absolutely crucial that we practice wisdom and discernment in our speech.
As we aim to be vessels of worth, let’s remember the lesson from Genesis 1 and the wisdom from Proverbs 18:21. Our words have the potential to shape our lives and the lives of those around us. So, let’s use them wisely, choosing words that bring life, encouragement, and edification to others.
The four Ws that can help us be vessels of worth on our Christian journey – Worry, Waiting, Weakness, and Wise Words. Let’s embrace what’s good, toss out what’s harmful, and keep pressing forward on this amazing journey with our eyes fixed on Christ.