Do you know any stubborn people? If you do, you know they can be really frustrating. Just in general. I am a stubborn person. In fact, most people in my family are stubborn people.
And one thing I’ve noticed about myself is that I often convince myself that I can’t do something. And once I’ve convinced myself that I’m not good at it or that I can’t do it, I refuse to even try.
Now it’s true that knowing your gifts and recognizing your skill set and staying inside them is a good idea. You don’t want to extend yourself beyond what God has called you to do. But at the same time, you should try to remain teachable because you never know when God might be trying to add something to your resume.
Look what I made with Jessica’s help)
Today’s verses are Proverbs 8:32-36.
“And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”
I’m not a crafty person. I can’t cut things out straight. Or color inside the lines. I’m creative with sentence structure. Not paints and glues. But I have lots of friends who are.
I’m part of a little group that decided to start having craft nights where we all bring supplies and make something. My first thought was that I wouldn’t enjoy it. My second thought was that everyone would have to spend time helping me figure out what I was doing.
To my great surprise–and thanks to the very patient help of my wonderful paramedic friend–I actually made something cool. Granted it included some pretty cool stuff that was already made, and I just stuck it all together. But my little wall hanging came out great, and I can’t wait now for the next time we’re going to get together to do something crafty.
Plus, I had a wonderful time hanging out with my friends.
If I had been stubborn and refused to let my friend teach me how to use her craft supplies, I don’t think I would have had a good time. Not at all. But she taught me, and I was willing to listen. I was willing to learn. I could have. I could have refused to come because “I’m not good at crafts.” But I didn’t. And I had a marvelous evening.
How many times does that happen in our lives? How many times do we pass up God-opportunities because we think that we wouldn’t be good at it or because we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re not worthy of it.
Lies. All of it. Don’t believe a word of them.
If you pass up the chance to learn something new, you might be missing the opportunity to achieve something great for God.
What would have happened if influential people throughout history had refused to learn? Abraham Lincoln? Martin Luther King, Jr.? Bill Gates? Imagine what our world would be like now if they and others like them had refused to learn. It wouldn’t be a fun place .
Be teachable. That’s the key. Be willing to learn. Be willing to listen to what God is trying to tell you. Listen to what God is saying in His Word, and then do it.
What is God trying to teach you today? What are you refusing to do because you don’t think you’ll be good at it? Stop making excuses. Give it a try. Be humble about it, and don’t worry. And if you turn out to be terrible at it, that’s great. You don’t have to do it again.
But you never know what might happen.
Always Peachy 