I Believe God is Sovereign, Don’t I?
“ Do you believe I am able to do this?”
Matthew 9:28b
Crazy how easy it is to get tripped up… maybe “misdirected” is a better term, by seemingly simple scripture verses.
The application seems sooo straightforward, until it isn’t.
As Michelle and I launch ourselves into full-time marriage ministry, this verse has come up for me several times. So much so that I jotted it, and a companion verse, on a separate piece of paper as a reminder of the power of our Creator. The companion verse:
“Go your way; and as you have believed, so shall it be done for you.”
Matthew 8:13
I saw, and still do see, these verses as fundamental. Working with couples, using Ballroom Dance as a metaphor for marriage, following God’s leading is a key component of the marriage covenant. Believing He is able. Moving forward in faith. These are foundational elements of our faith and our marriages.
And then, our humanness, our fallen nature rears it’s ugly head.
In my case, and I can only speak for myself, as Michelle and I face the challenges of this wonderful new direction in our lives, doubt creeps in. But, the doubt took an intriguing twist. I had NO doubts about God’s ability to do anything. Look at the world around us. His Creation alone is so marvelous as to remove all doubt in His abilities. His plan for salvation is so flawless and His Love is absolute and complete!!
God is more than able.
No… I doubted my ability to follow.
Not surprising, self-doubt. Do I have what it takes. I know nothing about Linked In, Instagram, or creating content for YouTube. And cold calling is certainly not a strong suit. I had doubts about myself. All true, and I would like to justify myself and say “understandable,” when taken at face value.
Except…
While I was sure God could do anything, I was unsure that I could. So in truth, the message I was sending my Creator, the God of the Universe who
“wove me together in my mothers womb..”
Psalm 139
was that I believed that He was not capable of leading me. You see, a central message of leading and following in Ballroom Dance, is that a great leader can lead even the most challenging follower.
This all came together to make me realize that I thought of myself as above my Leader, unable to be led.
Yikes!!
How crazy stupid is that.
God put this ministry on the hearts of both myself and my wife. He used fellow believers to encourage us. He gifted us with unique talents and abilities specifically designed to disciple marriages to His glory.
… and I had the hubris to think that I could thwart His plans?
Ha, and once again God laughs as this not so bright human looses sight of The Truth:
God is Love.
God desires the best for all of us.
God’s grace is sufficient.
AND
God is sovereign over all.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10