Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
“Am I good enough?” “Am I worthy?” “Does my life count?” “Will I be remembered?” All these questions, and many more like them, come from a heart desiring significance. It’s this drive for significance, or the fear of insignificance, that places us on a perilous path. Let’s consider the story of Absalom, who, I believe, struggled with the fear of insignificance.
Saving Private Ryan is an epic World War II war film that follows the search for James Ryan, the last surviving brother of four servicemen. The search is led by an army ranger captain named John Miller. Ryan is located, but on the return journey, Miller is gravely injured. As he dies, he whispers to Ryan, “Don’t waste this.” Ryan carried those words throughout his life. Years later, he broke down when he and his family visited Miller’s grave in Normandy. Through tears, he asked his wife, “Am I a good man?” He wanted his life to be significant, not wasted, for the man who had saved him.
Sin provides my greatest satisfaction apart from God. Sin is fun…for a time (Hebrews 11:25). It meets my fleshly desires. It gives me control. I think thoughts I want to think. I savor emotions that meet my needs. I do the things I want to do. Sin is all about me and all about me wanting to be in control.
What is God calling you to do? A closer walk with him? A new focus on your marriage? More spiritually intentional parenting? A new career? A new area of service? Are you following God’s call? Do you fear that saying “yes” to God will make you say “no” to something or someone else? Are you afraid to surrender? Why?
Have you surrendered your life to God? Have you waived your rights, transferred control, and submitted to him? Have you said, “You are God, and I am not.”? Have you trusted in Jesus alone as the One who makes surrender life-changing? Have you come to grips with your spiritual need?
Do you ever make excuses? Excuses like, “The people I work with hold me back.” “I don’t have the skills for the job.” “My parents screwed me up, it’s their fault.” “I don’t have time.” “People expect too much from me.” “God expects too much from me.” When God called Moses to a great assignment, he was full of excuses.
Do you ever feel like the task ahead of you is too big? It’s like a mountain that you don’t have the skill or energy to climb. You feel completely inadequate to take on the assignment. Let me tell you about a man named Moses.
“I don’t measure up.”
“I am not sure I have what it takes.”
“I’m physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.”
“I’m in over my head.”
“What if I fail?”
“What will people think of me?”
Do you ever have these thoughts and questions? An inner gnawing that you are just not enough? You are not alone. Let me introduce you to a man named Moses.