February 11, 2024

Judges 6.14  (NIV)
“Go in the strength you have.”

Don’t focus on what you can’t do. Don’t put the spotlight on your weaknesses and limitations. Refuse to worry about the strength you don’t have.*

As the boss with a staff of 20 people, I sometimes found myself frustrated with my employees. I finally went to my former boss/mentor for advice. My conclusion at the end of our discussion: these are the people I have to work with. I could have “cleaned house” but there was no guarantee of improvement – I would just have to replace them with a whole new set of people/problems. I returned to the office, determined to work with what I had.

Today's featured verse is part of a conversation between God and Gideon. In verses 12 through 18, we see that God knew Gideon’s potential, and how he patiently led him to the "point of courage."* 

Are we living up to our potential? When God calls us to step out in faith, we have to work with what we have and what we know, and trust that he will equip us to realize our potential and beyond.

When the situation seems desperate or difficult, we needn’t waste energy trying to control how the story will end.  We’ll do well just to tackle the next thing, the obvious need, the small step we can take while we’re waiting for God to do what he will do.*

*Quote sources available upon request.