WHEN MY SONS WERE LITTLE BOYS, still learning to walk independently, they loved to slip into their dad’s shoes, clasp their hands in mine or those of any adult around, and begin to walk. With their tiny feet in oversized shoes, they knew it was not safe to walk alone. To avoid falling down and hurting themselves, they totally depended on an adult’s leadership and support.
When I reflect on this illustration, I realize what it means to be in a personal relationship with God. It is from this relationship that we develop trust in His leadership and support because, in our spiritual journey, walking alone is never safe.
For all of us who have been called to serve in His vineyard in partnership with our spouses, this fact should be clear: we are wearing oversized shoes! Our spiritual and physical strength to carry
this work independently is inadequate. The mission and vision belong to Him (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 13:47; 1:8). He is the facilitator of strength, means, wisdom, talents, gifts, protection, and
health. The people we minister to are His, and even the message we proclaim belongs to Him. Ellen White affirms this: “All heaven is interested in this work that God’s messengers are carrying
forward in the world, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This is a great work, brethren and sisters, and we should humble ourselves daily before God, and not feel that our wisdom is
perfect.”
Serving Him is not about where we come from or our giftedness, education, eloquence, knowledge, leadership skills, economic status, or even dedication to service. It is about who He is in our lives and His mission to the world He loves so much. Ellen White says: “In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence or worldly wealth. He asks: ‘Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?’”
When God’s servants take pride and glory in whatever achievement they get in ministry, they demonstrate that they have forgotten whose shoes they are wearing. They do not give credit to the invisible hand that led them to victories and the Spirit of God that has been always available to convict sinners. The Spirit of Prophecy admonishes God’s servants “to ascribe glory, honor, and praise to Him who is above all and over all.”
At times some may feel unprepared to heed the call because they feel a sense of inadequacy and fear about the responsibilities assigned to them. Here we have good news! In the life of ministry, as soon as you experience a sense of inadequacy and feel that you do not possess enough skills to perform the work assigned to you, what you need to do is not reject the assignment but surrender to the owner of the mission!
WALKING WITH JESUS
I still remember vividly when I was asked to serve at the union office as director of Sabbath School, women’s, and children’s ministries. Deep down in my heart I did not feel like it was God calling me because I was convinced He knew that I was used to the university setting and was not courageous enough for this. I feared church members and other church leaders, and I felt completely incompetent and unprepared to take the task.
While I was in this state, I felt so blank in my brain—even the little things I knew about the three ministries disappeared from my memory. I had two months before I needed to report to my new office,
and for the first month I could not find any idea of how I would run the three departments. Soon I was left with only one month before beginning my responsibilities.
One day early in the morning, I was ready to do my devotions. At the same time I was still wondering what I should do regarding my new assignment. A soft voice whispered in my heart, saying, “I
understand you are not able, but why don’t you try to pray about it? Ask, and it shall be given unto you (Matthew 7:7), for things which are impossible with humans are possible with God (Luke 18:27).”