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You Have Been Called and Equipped by God

Have you ever felt like God required something of you that you were not capable of doing? Maybe the call was to “fear not” in a moment that screamed of uncertainty. You tried to act out your best “big girl” persona only to feel like a hypocrite for trembling so much on the inside. You may have heard the phrase “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” You weren’t called to juggle everything in your own strength. When God called Gideon to take up the mantle of leadership in Judges 6, it says that the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. That is, the Holy Spirit came upon Gideon to divinely empower his leadership and fill up the deficiency in his adequacies. As the Lord covered Gideon and he sounds the trumpet, forces come out of the woodwork to get behind a ‘bigger-than-Gideon-himself’ mission. Gideon learned that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. God will never call us into something for which He hasn’t already prepared and equipped us. He never leads us into a battle that He isn’t ready to dress us for accordingly. He never demands something of us without already considering how He will cover for our insufficiencies. For example, the same God who says, “Be holy, for I am holy,” doesn’t sit back in disdain at our failures and shortcomings; rather, He in a sense says: "Be holy… as I clothe you in the holiness that Jesus Christ has purchased on your behalf at the cross." We aren’t required to come up with our own holiness wardrobe. We simply “put on” that which the Lord has already provided for us (Romans 13:14 and Galatians 3:27). When we take matters into our hands and our own strength, we will easily become flustered and busy and honey, being busy does not mean you are being productive. Just as God equipped Moses to lead the Israelites with Aaron and his staff, just as God kept his promise to give Joshua victory over the Canaanites, just as God gave Esther the courage to go before the king, He will also equip you for the tasks He has given you. As Paul puts it, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

God doesn’t call us to something only to leave us to fend for ourselves. He is with us, He provides for us and He enables us to finish the assignment. When we argue or doubt or complain, we’re failing to trust the God who promises to be with us and equip us. Often, we think we know our capabilities and capacities, but God loves to stretch us beyond what we think is possible because it also stretches our faith during the process. Maybe you were given a new assignment at work that seems overwhelming. Or maybe you’re asked to lead a Bible study when you feel you’re not qualified. Whatever the calling may be, remember how God was with Moses, He will be with us. He will equip us. As He commanded Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua. 1:9. If God has called you to the task, He will see that you carry it through and will give you grace and the necessary tools to accomplish it. When you’ve been called, allow God to fully take the wheel and become the obedient driver following His GPS. God Positioning System. If you get off track, He will direct you, not condemn you nor turn His back on you. And here is the good news, you don’t have to do these things in your own strength. God works within us by His Spirit. And that same spirit lives in you if you're a believer which will give you fortitude, grit, and power. With Christ as your Master, you will begin to master your life challenges. I have driven on rough roads, filled with potholes and I have also driven on smooth roads. Obviously, smooth roads are better. Sis, today, allow God to be your Global Positioning System. He will never lead you in the wrong direction.

Prayer

Lord, I ask You to encourage and strengthen me today. Please remind me that I do need You moment by moment and it is nothing to be ashamed of. I realize I was designed to rely on You because You are my source and strength. Help me when I feel less than my best. In Jesus' name, Amen.