Are You Beloved

There are a lot of days that I really do not feel qualified to be a pastor. I mean I wake up and ask God if He is sure that He has the right person for the job. And, just like God’s reply to Moses at the burning bush God simply informs me that He is in control and not me. It is in moments like this that I am reminded of a quote that I once heard, “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.” And upon hearing this I realize that it is not what I can do that matters, it is what God can do through me that matters. So then my self-doubt sets in and I really do not think I can do it.

Romans 9:25 (msg), "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved." Man was Paul talking to me or what? He’ll call the nobodies and make them somebodies!!! He’ll call the unloved and make them the beloved!!! WOW, is that not awesome? The American Heritage Dictionary has the meaning of beloved as follows, “Dearly Loved.” So not just loved but dearly loved, a special kind of love that flows from the very depths of our inner beings. But does dearly loved really say it all? I am thinking not. The Vines Concise Dictionary defines beloved as follows, “from agapao, to love, is used of Christ as loved by God.” So this is the wording that was used of Christ as loved by God!!! If this does not make you tingle then you need to be in serious prayer with the Almighty right now.

God called the nobodies (me) and is making us somebodies (me), He is taking the unloved (me) and is making them beloved (me). This is my paraphrase of course. Not that I am trying to rewrite the prefect scriptures mind you I am just making it a wee-bit more personal. Trying to help get my point across. What in essence I am trying to say is simply this, God can and will use anyone He wants to and even though we might not feel worthy we are. We base way too much on the way we feel. God has a plan in mind for each and every one of us and it is our job to fulfill this master plan.

Although I do not by any means feel that I can do what God has called me to do does not matter, what matters is that I am willing to trust in Him and do everything that He has called me to do. So listen to Him and see what He might be calling you to today. Is He calling you to be a Sunday school teacher, or an usher, or to help start a men’s ministry? Whatever He is calling you to today please be responsive because you will never be truly happy until you follow Him and Him alone.

Pete