Put on the Correct Shoes

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

Sometimes I struggle to accept that the Creator of the universe—the One who hung every star, filled the oceans, and raised up the majestic mountains—is interested in me personally. I feel too ordinary and unimportant for Him to take such personal interest in my life. I know He does, but realizing the tremendous price He paid because of His love overwhelms me. Even more amazing, He has a custom-made plan and purpose just for me. It’s both humbling and inspiring. Best of all, it’s the same for each of us. You are just as important to Him as I am. No favorites!

Philippians 1:6 emphasizes that God is doing something good in each of our lives. As we examine this verse, we learn:

• We can be confident (believe, have faith, trust) that it will happen.
• What He is doing in our lives is a good work. It is beneficial.
• He will finish what He started. He won’t leave us incomplete.

God has a calling and a purpose for each of His children. No one is left out. Second Timothy 1:9 describes it as “a holy calling,” Understanding that God has a divine purpose for our lives should reassure us that we can succeed in fulfilling His special plan for us. My plan may be very different from yours, but each plan is good. The enemy can whisper many things in our ear, hoping to distract us and discourage us from fulfilling God’s purpose. We lack talent. We lack sufficient education. Others can do it better. Our past is too bad for God to use us. Don’t buy into Satan’s lies.

A friend and I have very similar tastes in clothing and shoes. Although we live hundreds of miles apart, we’ve ended up buying the exact same item several times. We sometimes travel together, and this has resulted in a few humorous situations. On one particular trip, we had unknowingly packed some of these items, and of course, they became mixed up in the hotel room. I struggled and struggled to put on “my” shoes, but they pinched—badly. Had my feet ballooned that much? Then I realized I was trying to wear her smaller-sized but otherwise identical shoes. It didn’t work. Nor will it work if I try to fill your shoes in the body of Christ instead of my own. It’s not a good fit. I have my own God-ordained place to fill.

As I seek to follow God’s will, I have discovered a few things about His plan for my life.

God wants me to know and obey truth. “Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4, ESV).  

God’s plans are so much better than mine. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, ESV).

God enables me with the abilities I need to fulfill His purpose. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8, ESV).

I’m a work in progress. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, ESV). As I allow Him to order my steps, I will continue to mature and grow to fulfill the plan He designed just for me.

Oh, yes! It’s important we put on the correct pair of shoes when we’re working for the Lord. The ones He provides fit perfectly.