about 12 years ago, i did a Bible study with my college roommate that ‘everybody else’ seemed to be doing. it was quite popular, and we wanted to see what the hype was all about. so we bought our workbooks, went through the study and came out of it feeling a little odd. we both had grown up in church and Christian schools and i know that i was still carrying around my youthful arrogance with an attitude of “try to teach me something new about the Bible.” all that in mind, we still felt that there was a lot of ‘sit & wait’ in the study. we were left with the feeling that there was too much inactivity on our part.

it is one thing to acknowledge that God will accomplish His purposes with our without us…it is another still to willfully sit on your hands and watch from the sidelines. we did, and still do, acknowledge that God’s plan is perfect, and that our part is minor in comparison to His, but we still must take ownership in what is going on. If God is our Father, and we are His children, made according to His purpose and set aside to be used by Him to accomplish those purposes, then we definitely have an active role to play.

again, not for our glory, or so that we can garner any credit for ourselves, but so that the Name may be glorified and people can see His work in our lives as a testimony. we are never the main focus, but we must still act.

are there going to be times when God tells us to sit and wait? goodness yes.

are we always going to understand those times & His timing? goodness no.

but we must rest in Him throughout the circumstances, whatever they may be.

i often feel inadequate. i often feel like the part i have is poorly played out. but i must also trust that God will use me in spite of me. i must trust that my maker can get through my failings and flaws and still do a good work. He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it, right? so i must trust in His timing, and in His abilities to accomplish anything and everything He desires. but i must also take the time and make the effort to do my part, not resting on my blessed assurance, laurels or my hands.

it’s not about me, it’s all about Him. He must become greater, i must become less…but even in becoming less, i have a role to play for His sake.