Devotion: Let Go Of Your Shortcomings
Read: Exodus 4:10, Exodus 6:12, 1 Kings 3:7
Today’s Scripture Focus:
Then the word of the Lord came to me [Jeremiah], saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth. But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. ~Jeremiah 1:4-6 (AMP)
I have to be totally honest with you – Without the help of the Holy Spirit, I can be a bit of a perfectionist. In fact, sometimes, no matter how hard I work at something or how much success I’m having, all I can see are my shortcomings and glaring imperfections.
But, praise God, that’s not what He sees when He looks at me. He’s not staring at my Pitfalls – He’s staring at my Potential!
And that’s exactly what He sees when He looks at you too!
Satan likes for us to get all hung up on what we think we can’t do. He wants us to be so focused on our flaws that they are all we can see. Why? Because if we are too busy looking at us, we will forget to stop, and look up at Jesus.
Our enemy wants us so wrapped up in the problem -Us – that we miss out on the solution – God.
You know, God showed me something a while back. In that passage that we just read in Jeremiah, God said “Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument].”
Before you were even created, God didn’t just know you – He approved of you. In all of your imperfections, the One who knows you better than anyone else on this earth approves of YOU.
Each of us has a special calling in Christ. Still, most Christians feel too unworthy and inadequate to even attempt the great things that God has for them to do.
But, God did not call you ignorant to your shortcomings. He was not surprised to find out that you stutter or that you’re afraid of speaking in public.
So, knowing your flaws, why would He chose you? Because He knew when He created you that He would be enough to cover them. He knew that, by His Spirit, you could do anything He had for you to do.
Now, if God approves of you, don’t you think it is time you finally approved of yourself? If He believes in you, isn’t it time you started believing in yourself?
Lord, Help each of us stop looking at our flaws,
and start looking at Your immense power working within us!
