Relax and Follow

Jim Ladd

One of the biggest hurdles we face when thinking about being used by God in the lives of other people is the fact that we lack almost all of what is needed to be effective. We search our minds and hearts with questions like “Do I even know the Bible well enough for God to use me?”, or “Since my life has so many ongoing issues, aren’t I disqualified to speak to anyone about faith?”, or “I am not great with words, persuasion, or humor - could God ever use me?”, and so many more. 

Here is my advice: RELAX! 

God has great news for you followed by a wonderful invitation.

The great news is that God does not need you. He does not lean on you to accomplish anything for Him. He does not need you to create compelling conversations with non-believing friends. He does not need you to persuade those in your Oikos (relational traffic pattern) that they need to find Jesus. He doesn’t need you to memorize and quote dozens of verses of Scripture. He doesn’t NEED you at all.

But He does yearn to give you the thrill of joining Him in what He is already doing in the lives of the people around you. In other words, you have a critical part to play, but it is not the role of Initiator, or Results Producer, or Strategy Creator. It is the role of being His present partner.

Remember this: God is already and always at work in the lives of everyone you know. You don’t have to bring Jesus to them, or beg the Spirit to begin a work in the lives of the people you love, or even ask God to anoint you for the tasks He is leading you to. All of these are givens in the universe!!

You have two very simple jobs: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. As you do these two jobs well, God will show you where and how He is already at work in the lives of the people you are loving for Him. He will open doors, create moments, give discernment, equip with gifts, and so much more. He will do the work while you get the thrill of joining the adventure of what He is already doing in the world.

You don’t have to make things happen! You get to participate in what God is making happen, and it is a thrilling experience!

So, lighten up, deepen your love for God and develop your love for people. Then watch as God begins to use you more than you ever dreamed, just because you stopped trying to be God and started following Him instead.