Too often our focus is on doing something for God. If we don’t let the Holy Spirit guide us, however, we may be knocking on the wrong door. Remember Israel? “Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed.” (Romans 11:7, MSG)

It isn’t us doing something for God; rather, it’s the other way around! God pursues us. He is the One who can show us exactly how to have an impact in our neighborhoods: “The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy.” (Romans 11:8, MSG)

We are not the ones who can make an impact to others. Only our Father can do this. Only through Him can we touch others deeply: “Everything comes from Him; Everything happens through Him; Everything end up in Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes, yes, yes.” (Romans 11: 36, MSG)

When I was younger, I often erred in this aspect. I tried to be a witness for God, but in so doing, I often missed out on what my Father really wanted me to do. All of us, after all, have different God-given talents. While I was trying to do something for God, my own-interests and abilities got in the way! Let me illustrate it like this: If someone needs surgery for a defective heart, I would never be able to do that surgery. Even the thought would leave all of us shaking in fear. However, I can pray for the surgeon as well as for the person with the defective heart, collaborating with the One who can truly heal.

I eventually learned to pray for directions from My Father, and one day I heard the Holy Spirit inspiring me to start an online prayer ministry. Interestingly enough, I had no idea how to do this. That was by design, however. If we are given something that is too easy, we may not listen for our Father or seek His help and guidance. Rather, when He gives something that is impossible to do on our own, we have no choice but to depend solely upon Him.

“Ask and you will receive.” (Matt 7:7, NIV) 

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Radical Grace From the Book of Romans”, please click here.)

(To access the entire “the Mission” devotional series, please click here.)