Speaking for God

Recently I began writing a book in response to the admonition to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It discusses things such as what do the scriptures say, and how do I respond when it comes to thorny questions?

It’s scary stuff. Who am I to speak for God? Absolute truth doesn’t depend on anyone’s defense. Least of all by me.

But if all Christians felt that way, we might never try. We might sigh and say, “God doesn’t need us anyhow.” Wrong. God doesn’t need us, but he has chosen to use us. In fact, the gifts he gives us for ministry, including speaking and writing, confirm his presence among us.

The burning desire to share God’s truth in my own words doesn’t come from me. It comes from God! In fact, he gave it to me to enrich my life, "in every way". If I don’t speak out, I lose out on God’s intended blessing. My writing doesn’t make me special. The better, more effective, more powerfully I write, the more it confirms Christ Jesus is at work in my life.

I may be uniquely gifted, but I am not uniquely enriched. All followers of Christ are "enriched in every way.” Together, we have everything we need, and our testimony is stronger due to the gifts we each have. If we don’t let God use us, people who need to see and hear and touch God’s truth in real time may not experience it.

Giver of all good gifts, may I receive them in gratitude and dedicate them in return to you, to your service, and to the spread of your gospel. Amen.

Go Deeper — Take a moment to honestly list your talents. Are any of them not being fully utilized for God’s glory and to spread the good news of his love? What can you do to change that?

Read Further — We should never be jealous of others’ gifts, but see ours as just as important in the kingdom building process. Read Better When We’re Together.