When What God Is Asking You to Do Feels Like More Than You Can Handle
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Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
One of my favorite winter pleasures is reading by the fire. But behind every moment of cozy bliss is a lot of hard work. Before any wood can be burned, it must be split, stacked, and dried.
On a fall day a couple of years ago, I was helping my husband with this labor of love. As we tackled a big pile of birch rounds, our efforts were made a little easier with an electric log splitter. Paul loaded and split the logs while I stacked them in neat rows.⠀
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When we were done, Paul needed help moving the splitter from the back of his truck onto the floor of the garage. He grabbed one end while I grabbed the other. I started to lift my end and was surprised by the weight. “It’s too heavy for me!” I said. “I’m not asking you to move it by yourself,” Paul patiently replied. After a second try, I found it to be much easier, as Paul bore the brunt of the weight. With his help, it was no problem.⠀
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Sometimes we experience a similar dynamic in our relationship with God. We each have callings and assignments, and God invites us to participate in various projects or ministries with Him. Our initial response may be excitement: “Yes, I’ll partner with you, God!” But once we start the process, we may begin to think it’s more than we can handle. Mentoring teens, teaching Sunday school, writing a book, or traveling for mission work may feel beyond our capabilities. “It’s too much for me!” we cry out.
Thankfully, God never asks us to complete an assignment on our own, nor does He expect us to fulfill our callings in our own strength. In Zechariah 4:6, He makes this clear: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (ESV).⠀
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I’m so thankful that, though I must be a willing participant, God is the One who bears the bulk of the burden and ultimately makes our purpose come to pass!⠀
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What is God calling you to in this season? Whatever it is, remember that it is His strength that will make you succeed!
In purpose and faith,
This devotion was originally published by the Joyful Life.
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