PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 20:20-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can,’ they answered.” (Matthew 20:22)
I recall my naive confidence when I first wanted to be a minister.
Youthful optimism, or ignorance… I never questioned that I could do it.
Like James and John, I could drink that cup, I could handle that challenge.
Twenty seven years later, and I’m still in ministry, but NOT still confident.
James and John were too wrapped in themselves; they needed to be humbled.
They needed to know that working for God in this world is not a ‘nice cup of tea’.
Even Jesus, who faithfully lived and served in God’s world, suffered for it.
I CANNOT drink this cup, that is survive or succeed in this world… but WE CAN!
Alone we are doomed, but with His help we can persevere and overcome!
“Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Whatever assignment God gives to us, we can succeed IF we do it with Him.
Despite my naive self-confidence, God has shown me where my true confidence lies.
He has used me, despite me, to share His cup of blessing with others!
PRAYER
Lord, I can now smile when I think of my naive self-confidence back then – as You did. But thank You for using me anyway, and teaching me the meaning of God-confidence.
Lord thank you for parlaying our pride and sometimes rebuking our overconfidence. Help us be humble and remember that there aren’t any deeds we can do for ourselves that will place us by your side; it is all according to Your will.
I am so glad that it is up to the Father. This striving for first place, for attention is an egotistic and prideful thing that I find distasteful. I’m thankful that it is more ‘calling’ than striving for wherever God places me – often I feel so inadequate – but it is God who enables. I’ll be happy whatever the Lord decides for me in His Kingdom – now and in the future.
These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father (v.23b). Our Father, our Creator your formed us … DNA, intelligence, personality, talent, everything we are and have are from you. You have prepared a place, a calling for each of us your children in your Kingdom. Lord Jesus you have conquered the Way to that calling. Holy Spirit open my eyes to not lose track of following the Way, open my ears so that I will hear your instruction/navigation, open my heart so that I’ll find joy in the journey.