Mad Skills

Confession: I like spy movies. I've always wanted to have the skills of these fictional super secret agents. Being one doesn't actually appeal to me, but their resourcefulness and ability to get in or out of any situation is remarkable. Stuck in a jam? Well, it's a good thing I brought along a toothpick and a rubber band. Be out in a jiffy. Whatever is in their mental repertoire, their surroundings, their pocket, or a phone call away - it's more than enough for whatever circumstance in which they are. Never ill-equipped, they can develop a plan and walk it out. One that is effective, successful.


In the real world, outside of the world of Bourne, we often feel quite different. Incompetent, inept, inane. The good news is that we don't have to be Jason Bourne to get a job done. Jesus ascended and sent the Comforter to us. Not to comfort us the way chicken noodle soup can, but to empower us with gifts of wisdom, peace, joy, and even knowledge. Now that's comforting. No one has more analytical skills, is more efficient, has a higher IQ, or is more resourceful than our Father in heaven. When we give ourselves to Him (our past, present, and future), whatever and all we are, He takes it. He molds it. He leads us to places where all these things can bring Him maximum glory. For instance, I grew up with an absent father who struggled to live life victoriously. As a result, it took many years for me to understand the love of the Father, to see Him as Father God. Initially, I felt I was at a disadvantage, but I wasn't. I got to learn (and am still learning) about the Father's love directly from the Father of all. That's pretty cool. On Saturday, June 19th, I got a phone call requesting that I preach and share of the word of God the following day. Of course, I agreed. The Lord had been calling me aside all week just to teach me specifically about the love of the Father, it depths, it's consistency, it's abundance and surety. Immediately the Holy Spirit confirmed that I should share these things the following day. Not until late that night after I had finished my sermon did I see online that the next day was in fact Father's Day. Not having celebrated it much, I am not generally mindful of the date. So, there I was the next day a woman who grew up without the presence of a father preaching to the fatherless (our church is full of orphaned and abandoned children) about the love of our Father God. It was beautiful and you could see hearts and minds reaching out for, excepting and understanding His love more. It is one small example of how our God is a master planner. When we put ourselves into His hands, nothing is lost. We don't have to be spies to be effective. We just have to be open and accepting of His molding, making, and leading. As clay, we are safest in the Potter's hands. Let Him be your Potter - He's pretty good at it.