BBD 08.26.03 Inadequacy
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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08.25.03
Inadequacy
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech
or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to
know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with
you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling (Another translation
indicates that Paul felt inadequate and was scared to death at what he was
facing.). And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of
human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your
faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1
Corinthians 2:1-5.
The feeling of inadequacy affects every person to some degree at some times.
Being inadequate for a task or tasks is a common human trait. It is also a
common human trait to bluff, fake, and appear that we are not inadequate for
whatever task or event is facing us. How many of you have started a new job
and acted as though you knew much more than you really did? Or, have you
been in an advanced class, which was beyond your abilities and tried to
appear to be at the same level as everyone else? Have you ever had to give a
speech or present a program before a group of people and been uncomfortable
at the thought of having to do such a thing? Have you had to learn something
new like operating a computer or even learning to drive a car and felt
inadequate and even fearful that you might not be able to learn what you
needed to learn successfully? If you are or were in any of the above
groups - you fit in well with nearly everyone else of the human race
including the apostle Paul.
Even though inadequacy is a common condition of mankind it is however the
causal factor for countless negative effects upon our lives. Inadequacy can
lead to our trying to compensate by lying, deceiving, developing addictions,
overworking, and materialism (I am sure there are many others.). Inadequacy
also leads to psychological problems and can aggravate existing problems. In
its worst manifestations, psychologically there is the fear of public
speaking or even being around people much less trying to talk to anyone.
Many have become so fearful that they are even afraid to leave their homes.
Inadequacy can be and is for many people a devastating condition.
The apostle Paul in facing his own fear and his own human inadequacy gives
us an example of how to overcome this problem. Paul did not come to the
Corinthians depending upon his own human wisdom and excellency of speech
even though he was an extremely well educated person. No, Paul came to them
and faced his inadequacy by trusting in not his power but in the power of
God. He did not try to impress them with his great learning and skills of
oratory but instead he laid his fears (1 Peter 5:7) upon Jesus and through
the power of God communicated the Gospel with great effectiveness.
How many times have I thought moments before standing to speak that I am
inadequate for what needs to be said? How many times have I felt so
physically ill just before I must stand to speak that I thought I should
simply dismiss the service or ask someone else to speak? How many times have
I felt fearful of sharing my testimony with someone or visiting someone or
talking with someone who I know can be very difficult? Too many times for me
to possibly remember and I have yet come to a point that I do not
continually feel inadequate for what I need to do and be as a Christian, as
a father, as a husband, grandparent and especially as a pastor and in the
fulfillment of God's call upon my life.
How can we face and overcome our inadequacies? Only as Paul did. Only
through the power of God standing on the power of our Lord (Philippians
4:13). That is how we will make it through another hour, another day,
another week, another year. That is how we will be steadfast (1 Corinthians
15:58) and know that our labor no matter how inadequate we may believe it is
will never be in vain and will through the power of God accomplish its
eternal purposes.
Copyright © 2003. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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