Do you desire to be use of God? If your answer is yes, then that is a good response and in keeping with the Scriptures. Paul references God using his people in I Cor. 1:4 , he remarks how how God comforts us in our troubles, so that we are to comfort others in their troubles. And in Philippians, he notes that because of his chains, others are more confident in the Gospel (Phil. 1:14). But what I want you to notice in both of the examples cited from the writings of Paul, God’s use of him and others, comes on the heels of challenges and difficulties. In II Corinthians, comfort is able to be given because we have experienced God’s comfort in troubles. Secondly, why are the Philippians more confident, is it not because of the grace of God in Paul’s life while being in chains? As I thought about this desire to have God use us and how it is often connected to challenges and difficulties, I was reminded of the anonymous poem entitled, When God Wants to Drill a Man. As I wrap up this post, I leave you with those words as you consider how God prepares his people for use. Enjoy!
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.