When God calls you, it is always to do something that will probably seem impossible or too big for you. Remember, Jeremiah certainly thought that when he was confronted by an incredible task.
We can see his reaction when he said: “Ah, Sovereign LORD, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” Jeremiah 1:6.
I have heard many Bible teachers responding to objections with the following argument: “Don’t worry, just respond to the call and the rest is up to God. Carrying out your calling does not depend on you, it all depends on God”
Well, that is only partly true. In fact, this concept taken by itself is close to a fallacy. A few years ago church went through a phase where in some circles almost all you heard was “believe it, confess it and you will have it”.
But there is a BIG missing ingredient in this theory This missing ingredient actually turns these theories into dangerous proclamations that have hurt many people who tried to follow them.
Missing Ingredient:
What is this missing ingredient?
Well in Jeremiah chapter 1:11-12, we find God telling asking Jeremiah what he saw. Jeremiah responded to the vision saying, “I see a branch of the almond tree”. God responds: in verse 12 saying: “You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” (Amplified version of the Bible).
Then in the book of James, we are clearly told “Faith without works is dead”. (James 2:17). This means that faith is ACTIVE, not passive.
We are called to a walk of faith with God. Since real faith is active, this means our walk with God will be full of ACTION. This journey of faith will take us to our destiny as we respond by faith to the impressions God puts in our hearts.
So what is the missing ingredient? ACTION.
A true walk of faith is a journey of action. There will be no fulfilling of your destiny without ACTION. (Remember, in the last article we mentioned that God is asking us to trust and obey. “Obey” is an ACTIVE verb.)
Partnership.
Our faith walk is a partnership. Successful partners walk together with each of them pulling 100% of their weight. The great advantage of walking in partnership with God is that when you put your 100%, God also puts His :)
Of course the outcome of that is we can end up achieving great things that are far beyond our natural ability. This is because the strength of His 100% far outweighs the strength of our 100%.
Nevertheless, a true partnership is a TWO sided contract. Both partners play a part, not just one of them.
There IS one thing He expects you and I to do and that is to be ALERT and ACTIVE.
Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray – that word “watch” is translated from a greek word which means to be alert.
So does our destiny depend on us or on God?
God has already planned our destiny, and provided EVERYTHING we need to reach it. Our destiny is good and probably far beyond our wildest dreams. In Jeremiah 29:11, God reassures us that His plans for us are good and full of prosperity.
Now it depends on you and me to take what He has given us, use it and start moving towards our destiny or calling.
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