Shame and Identity, Part 5: You Can't Stop What God Designed You To Do
Yesterday, we learned that all of us have good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. God knit us together in our mothers’ wombs to accomplish these good works. There may be some good works that we can’t wait to do.
However, what if we don’t want to do the good works God has given us to do? In other words, what if we go against what we were designed to do?
If you want an example of someone who tried to resist God, just read the book of Jonah. God told His prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach to the Ninevites, who were terrible, godless enemies of Israel. Instead of obeying, Jonah went in the opposite direction by boat, got caught in a terrible storm, and ended up being swallowed by a fish for three days. Eventually, he still preached to the Ninevites, even though his heart was not fully repentant.
What was the result? 120,000 Ninevites were converted.
You can’t tell me that Jonah’s Micro identity alone led to 120,000 people converting. Even when he preached to the Ninevites, he still hated them. Because his heart wasn’t in the right place, he was angry that the Ninevites believed and were spared the wrath of God. This shows that it wasn't Jonah's heart or preaching skills that led to the 120,000 conversions - but rather God, working through Jonah to accomplish His will.
In other words, you can’t resist or stop what God has designed you to do. You will do it. You can either embrace the good works determined for you, like the prophet Elijah did, or you can resist, like Jonah did. If God has to have a fish swallow you up, take you on a multi-day journey, and spit you out where you need to be so you will fulfill your call, that is exactly what will happen.
It is so much better to submit to God’s will and enjoy what He designed you to do. If you want more on how to create the desire to change, read this.
To read more on what Scripture says about this, see Jonah 1:1-3, 8-12, 17, 2:10, 3:1-10, and 4:1-3.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You will make sure I do exactly what I am supposed to do. Thank You for letting me know that I can’t fail because You will work through me to accomplish those good works. Father, humble me, soften my heart, and make me so grateful that I get to do exactly what You want me to do. You are amazing. Thank You for using me. There isn’t anything greater that I can do other than do exactly what You designed me to do.
Chew On This:
What’s it like knowing that God will work through all your strengths, weaknesses, successes, failures, and your entire story to do good works that will advance His Kingdom?
To continue to part 6 of our Shame and Identity series, click here. To return to part 4, click here.