When we want to make a difference for God’s glory, our default plan is often to focus on HOW to make the greatest IMPACT. This sounds logical, right? Most times, this takes the form of pursuing our gifts, developing our talents, making more money, furthering our career, or doing whatever we think—will make the greatest difference.
The problem is—this is backwards!
Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales, said: ‘The impact that God has planned for us does NOT occur when we are pursuing impact. It occurs when we are pursuing God.” Vischer made the observation that Abraham’s dream was Isaac. “When God asked Abraham to put Isaac on the altar, God wanted to know if Abraham would let go of everything—before letting go of God.” Abraham’s actions proved that the gift of Isaac was NOT more important than God. (Genesis 22:1-19) This made me think:
Has the passion of pursuing my gifts exceeded my passion of pursuing God?
Have we allowed our intense drive to do good words to become an idol which defines us instead of—our identity and relationship with God? I sure do! I am an extremely intense person. Everything I do must be 100% over the top. Why? I am driven to make a difference. But the line between doing it for my own glory or for God’s glory comes down to one simple question:
Is my passion for pursuing God greater than—my passion for pursuing the impact?
So many times I’ve fallen into the trap of making my GREATEST identity (what makes me confident and secure) what I’m DOING—like being a parent, an attorney, a singer, a discipler, or a writer of devotionals like the one you’re reading right now! Instead my greatest identity needs to be in God.
God always has a better plan for my life than I do!
God knows me better than I know myself. He understands me. He knows my thoughts and dreams. He knows everything about you, too!!!
God is waiting to become the greatest passion of your heart and give you a life greater than you’ve ever imagined for yourself!
Meditate on the following verses with a heart and mind that is completely surrendered to your Creator. (I’ve written them as first person prayers) Ask Him to draw you into a deeper relationship. Ask Him to help you desire Him. Ask Him to guide your steps. He most certainly will!
Lord, help me to know YOU, and serve YOU with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for YOU search my heart and understand all the intent of my thoughts. If I seek YOU, YOU will be found by me…
(1 Chronicles 28:9a)
I am YOUR workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which YOU prepared beforehand that I should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10)
I Trust YOU, Oh Lord with all my heart, I lean not on my own understanding; In all my ways I acknowledge YOU, and [I know] YOU will direct my paths!
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
If God knows our every thought, He knows who we are and thus, our identity should be found MOST—in Him. Every other identity we have—parent, teacher, attorney, etc., is a gift from God.
When all our greatest gifts are on the altar, we are 100% free to allow God’s power to work through us.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
