i don't mean to be difficult - i just feel very strongly that God will not share His glory with another - and that includes me.
but... "God gave you these talents, right? you do your part, right?" and i feel, so strongly, a NO in my spirit! which hasn't seemed to make sense to anybody when i try to express that! lol
well, thinking upon it this morning, i saw a bunch of clay vessels, different shapes and different sizes, for different uses. and some had different shaped spouts for pouring out water in different ways, some for watering plants, for example, or for pouring out tea.
the different spouts are how God created certain vessels for His use. the teapot didn't create it's spout itself, and can take no credit for it. and when God uses that teapot to pour out His good pleasure in some way, the teapot can take no credit for the pouring, or for the way in which it's used.
the only thing the teapot has to it's credit is that it was willing and available..... but even there, the Master Potter gives not only the ability to do something, but the will to do something.
Phillipians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (nkjv)
and God will not share His glory with another. least of all me, who is just a creature, not the Creator.
so i can take ZERO credit for what God does through me. zip, zilch, zero.
and i feel a really huge caution at this point in my life that i am to be extremely careful that i do not allow myself to apply any spit and polish to my pride - it's shiny and healthy enough as it is... and God's trying to kill it. so i really, literally, can't 'take into myself' anything that strokes my wool just right, where i say, yeah, i really do have pretty wool, don't i?
so, really, i'm not trying to be difficult!!!!! i'm just in a spiritual battle with my pride!
case in point: mom, fully intending to encourage me, said, "well, you're gifts arent the same as being a teapot, becuase a teapot's spout is 'fixed', unchanging, whereas talents grow and change in use, and you play a part in how you use the gifts and abilities God gave you"... (and the enemy says to me, see, give yourself some credit, lynne!) ..... but a red flag comes up in my spirit, a 'NO!' ....because i am a teapot who is still on the Potter's wheel. and it's to God's glory, not my own, that He can/will/would use me in my still unfinished state.
so i'm a teapot....
so i have a spout....
so what?
Phillipians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (nkjv)
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