Things i (Eric) Can’t do that I Can Do

I think we often forget that the times when we reach the end of our own abilities is when God steps in. I often wonder when I take some time to read through the Old Testament if David or Gideon or any of the other successful kings and judges were really gifted generals and leaders or if they just have more faith than the rest of us. Did they know what to do in each specific situation that they stumbled into or did they just have God so much at the front of their minds and lives that they followed him wherever they went.

If they can do it what is stopping me? For a while I thought that I just wasn’t as faithful, or maybe that kind of stuff doesn’t happen anymore. It took me a while to realize that in actuality I was not living my life outside of my own abilities, I was holding back. I was too worried to step out on a path too difficult for me to finish myself. Now there were times when I chose to follow God’s way of doing things instead of my own even in the easy part of my life and it turned out well, but for the most part I tried to stick to stuff I could do myself so that I could do it my way. I am now in a place in my life where I can’t do it myself anymore.

I am about to embark on the adventure of building a school for the children of Angel House and surrounding community. We will start with the foundation, move on to the walls, roof, doors and windows, and eventually finish up with the plaster (inside and out). The process reminds me so much of what guiding the growth of kids at Angel House can be like. We hope to lay the foundation of God, add the protection of walls and a roof through good living and education, and pray that in the end they chose to put on the finishing touches of plaster in a way that honors God. In both of these processes other people will be there to help and even be in charge of different parts, but I know that the parts I will be responsible for will not be within my normal capabilities.

I will have to be able to focus on God throughout this project so that when I lose my way I just have to follow his path, the one laid out for me through experience, faith, and the wisdom given through his word. I have a feeling that if I asked those kings and judges of old they would say the same thing. Look toward God and he will provide what is needed, do his will and he will not leave your side. We know that God is faithful and my prayer is that I can be as well. How is your faith and what are you willing to do in the near future that requires you to trust in God more than yourself?