You are Able
2 Corinthians 3:5, 6
5 We don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering Presence. 6 He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life.
As a young in training musician, my parents had me practice one half hour a day. if I missed a practice, my one-half hour was added on to the next day. This was pretty much a hard and fast rule. My parents were paying my way to go to conservatory where I was being trained by professional, classical musicians who had very high expectations, so not practicing wasn’t much of an option for me. Finally, I was asked if I would like to play in our church orchestra. Excited doesn’t fully describe how I felt about this. Marimba was not a well-known instrument that I was familiar with, but soon would become very familiar with it. The church purchased a marimba and then eventually a xylophone which was to be my beginning instruments and entrance into the orchestra. This was very serious business to me as a young girl. Honestly, I thought I would mess everyone else up. Margaret Washington was our pianist, and I mean she could really play beautifully! I actually aspired to play like her with her awesome style. Down deep inside I didn’t believe I ever would, even with all the practice and training I was receiving. Then it happened. Margaret was not going to be there for services for a few weeks and guess who they asked to fill in for her, me! I immediately became a wreck! I didn’t want to mess up and fail! As a young teenager, this was big stuff for me! I prayed and cried out to the Lord asking Him to please, please, please help me do my best. The day came for my debut on the big grand piano in service. I think I prayed and probably heaven thought, “Would she just stop already! The Lord has heard her prayer.” The worship service went well and if I remember correctly, Pastor Crabtree even asked for a chorus I had never played before and I was able to “play it by ear.” All of the hours of practice and training had paid off, yet down deep in my heart I knew that the Lord was the one who was making me an adequate minister. I felt His touch and presence. It was His strength and His strength alone that launched me onto the level where I could begin developing as a worship leader. I have served as a worship leader for many years now. I have learned I cannot lead others where I have not been, so in order to do that, I must spend time privately with the Lord in worship and press into Him knowing that nothing else really matters, not my skill or ability. It’s not about being a star or focusing on myself. My worship is all about Him, lifting Him high and helping people enter into the waters of intimacy and His overwhelming love. I realize even though I am well trained, that it is not my ability, but all His and His alone as I become a conduit of the power of His Spirit.
What about you? are you trying to do life, yet feel incapable to live each day well? Realize it is all Him. Draw away daily and yield your all to Him. He will make you very capable to do whatever He has called you to do. Trust Him fully today.
