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Devotionals
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Competent
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By Joni Eareckson Tada,
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Not long ago at a conference, I was introduced as "Dr. Joni Tada." When I wheeled up to speak, I told the audience, "I may have been given a couple of honorary doctorates from seminaries, but I'm only a high school graduate. I've never even been to Bible college!"
There was a time I was embarrassed by the fact that I had no real scholastic degrees. I'm not competent to speak alongside Christian leaders who have actually earned their doctorates. Why am I even attempting to write a book? Later I realized that although I am inadequate in many ways, my competence comes from God, not from four years at Bible school.
God has used my many years in a wheelchair to remind me that, yes, I am completely inadequate and anything but competent--goodness, I'm just a quadriplegic! But my weaknesses and limitations keep pointing me to the source of all authority and ability: God and God alone. Praise the Lord, He makes us competent as ministers of the new covenant!
You may think, Who am I that anyone should listen to me? Why should anyone care what I have to say? Don't fool yourself. In Christ, you are completely competent. Second Corinthians 13:4 reminds you, "For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you." It is by God's power I serve the Lord. And it's by His power--and His power only--you can serve, too.
Father, I don't want my feelings of inferiority to limit my service to You. Remind me today that I am adequate and competent in You to serve in Your kingdom.
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Davidwayne Lackey 04/01/2015 21:26 |
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