TRUSTING GOD IN THE SHADOWS - The Lord has us wait in His shadow to remind us we're not the star attraction - that cultivates genuine humility. While God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry - that makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people - a far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry - always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him. When God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified - that makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise. That's the idea - it's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them - I want to dispense a fresh supply of hope in a time when God leads you to wait in the shadows. When God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit — a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. We're all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door. Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it's an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we're not the star attraction. We're not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility. All the while waiting for his time — correction, God's time.

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Trusting God in the Shadows

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The Lord has us wait in His shadow to remind us we're not the star attraction - that cultivates genuine humility. While God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry - that makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people - a far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry - always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him. When God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified - that makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise. That's the idea - it's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them

Chuck Swindoll

Insight for Today

Scriptures: Acts 11:25; 2 Corinthians 12:2-6

812

I want to dispense a fresh supply of hope. To help accomplish that, let me suggest four principles.

They may mean more to you later than now — in a time when God leads you to wait in the shadows.

First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit — a period of waiting.

That cultivates patience.

As I write these words, it occurs to me that I've never met anyone young and patient. (To be honest, I've not met many old and patient folks either.)

We're all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door.

Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it's an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting.

Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we're not indispensable.

That makes us humble.

One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we're not the star attraction.

We're not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility.

I'm convinced Paul never once questioned God for having His hand on Peter and Barnabas, rather than on him.

In a time when most gifted individuals would have been volunteering at the revival headquarters, Paul willingly remained behind the scenes.

All the while waiting for his time — correction, God's time.

Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry.

That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people.

A far greater need is deeper people.

Deep people will always have a ministry. Always.

God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.

Fourth, when God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified.

That makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise.

"Me? You sure You don't want that other person? She's got great qualifications and obvious gifts. You may want to talk to her."

That's the idea.

It's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll.

Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as senior pastor to congregations in Texas, Massachusetts, and California. Since 1998, he has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs in major Christian radio markets around the world, reaching people groups in languages they can understand. Chuck’s extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide and his leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and Cynthia, his partner in life and ministry, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/trusting-god-in-the-shadows1