“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8

For those who do not know me, let me tell you a little about me. I have a hard time with this, because sometimes I see my life as nothing spectacular.  I am married to a good man with a steady job.  I have three healthy, happy boys.  I am able to stay at home to raise my children.  I used to be a high school math teacher, but have been tutoring since my oldest child was born. I go to church and participate in the things I am able.  I attend a Bible Study with my children where I volunteer where I can.  I have many friends where I live and a great family.  I even have great in-laws. Who could ask for more?  I am a reasonably intelligent woman who loves to read and is pretty comfortable talking in front of people when the subject is something I know.  I am friendly and enjoy helping others when I can. I try to make others feel welcome.  If you ask me, I may tell you that none of this is anything noteworthy, because it comes easily to me.  Well, all of it comes easily except being a wife and mother.  I feel like a failure at those more frequently than I would like to admit.

The thing is, none of this is ordinary in God’s eyes. It has taken me a long time and a lot of trials to figure this out, but God wants us to be obedient and faithful.  Sometimes, this means traveling across the globe for missions work or donating huge sums of money to support God’s work.  Usually, however, this means being obedient with the things God has already entrusted to you.  Jesus shows us this in the Parable of the Talents. In this story, a master entrusts his servants with 5, 2 and 1 talents respectively.  The servants with 5 and 2 come back with double their original amount and the master rewards them.  He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” However, the third servant with one talent buries it in the ground and brings only the original talent to the master.  He is angry with the servant for not using what little he had.  In the scheme of things, I do not know how many talents I have in comparison with others, but I do know I am expected to use what I have obediently so that God may use it abundantly.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we see Elisha demonstrating this principle with a prophet’s widow. When faced with everything she has being taken away, she approaches Elisha for help.  Instead of simply miraculously providing the woman with an abundance, Elisha asks the widow what she has in the house.  “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she says, “except a little oil.”  With that little oil, which the widow saw little value in, God supplied abundantly for the widow in a miraculous way.  God wants to do the same for us.  Even when it seems like we have so little, God will use it to provide for us abundantly.  This promise is contained in 2 Corinthians 9:8, saying “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

This is why God does not want me to look at myself as nothing spectacular, because it does not matter who I am, it matters God can do more than I ever imagined when I am obedient.  Let me say that again: it does not matter who I am, it matters God can do more than I ever imagined when I am obedient.  Do you have faith in God’s ability to provide?  I have to admit, sometimes I do not, but He constantly shows me I have no reason to doubt.

The question remains, what do you have?  I believe God is urging me to use my words, both vocal and in print, to accomplish great things.  I feel woefully unqualified for this, but I know I can trust Him to provide.  God can miraculously multiply the power of my words.  All He requires is for me to stop focusing on my ability and start believing in His.  As I start to see His blessings unfold, I can look back on past trials and see how I am being prepared for this new challenge.  He moved me to various places across the country so that I could see what it was like to be isolated and lonely.  This prepared me to be more able to treasure the friends I have and welcome those who may feel as I once did.  He allowed me to experience depression and other trials with raising children so I could be empathetic to the struggles others face.  He placed “difficult” people in my life so I could learn how to love ALL people in a genuine way.  The list could go on, but I hope you see God can use you too.

Where is God leading me?  Honestly, I feel a little like Abram in Genesis 12:1 where “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you’.”  There is not a road map for the path I must take, but He reveals enough so I can take each step with confidence.  Will you follow His lead too?