Devotion by Keona J Tann: Only You Can

God has been taking me on a journey of looking out for opportunities all around me because I desire to see my actions affect others. I’m learning to listen for those times when God gently whispers: only you can. Those moments vary greatly, it can be as simple as driving someone from church to home, writing a note of encouragement, or spending time with family. But most recent my only you can moment came as I was looking at my next semester of study. My daughter has recently switched to flexible learning which is done via a mix of correspondence and online. It has been hard for her to try and catch up on work and so I’ve been helping her as much as I can. I found the pressure of juggling my schoolwork and my daughter’s has impacted my health. As I chatted to my hubby about it all I felt the gentle whisper calling me to put my studies on hold so that I can focus on my health and my family. It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I know it is simply what I need to do right now.

I’ve shared this with you because I believe that God gently whispers: only you can do things to you also.
There is a story brewing in your head that only you can share.
There is a dream planted in your heart that only you can birth.
There are people around you that only you can impact.
Now some of the things God is calling you to do can be scary, like terrifyingly scary, believe me I know. BUT Randy Clark reminds us that “God uses the ordinary and makes them extraordinary.” What makes an ordinary person into an extraordinary person? Jesus.

Time with Jesus

I believe that, once we’ve accepted Him into our lives, spending time with Jesus transforms us. In Acts 4:13 it states that the men of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) were astonished when they heard Peter and John speak. What surprised them?

• They were amazed that these ordinary men, who never had any religious training, spoke with knowledge of the Scriptures.
• They were astonished at Peter and John’s confidence and boldness.
• They were impacted by Peter and John’s intimate knowledge and authority about the name of Jesus.
  These high priests began to understand the effect Jesus has on those who spend time with Him. Peter and John were considered ordinary but spending time with Jesus made them extraordinary, the very same happens for us!

Steward Well

I’m endeavouring to steward well the things that God has given to me: the stories that are rolling around in my brain; the dreams and callings; along with the people God has placed in my circle to influence. I know that the more time I spend with Jesus the more excitement bursts in my spirit about the things I’m called to do. I’m also reminded of the Call to be faithful in the now and with the ‘little’ I have so that I can grow and learn to steward the bigger things (see Matthew 25:20-22).  OpenBible.info has many more great Bible verses around stewardship.

Stewardship is taking care of and managing the things God has given to us. I’m trying really hard to be better at this.

“The basic message that I have gotten from the Bible about being a good steward is that God has entrusted me with things down here on earth and it is my responsibility to do something good with them.” Bob Lotich from his article on SeedTime

I pray that you steward well that story God has entrusted you with.
I pray that you steward well that dream God planted in your heart.
I pray that you steward well the people that God has placed around you.

Prayer

Here is a prayer that you can join me in praying:
Almighty God, I thank You for entrusting me with a story; for planting dreams in my heart and for surrounding me with people that I can care for.
As I spend time in Your Word, I pray You’ll impart a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures so that they drive my every decision and action.
Holy Spirit I pray for astonishing confidence and boldness to step out in the things You call me to. Grow me in my knowledge and authority about the name of Jesus.
I pray that those around me will be impacted by my words and actions, help me to reveal Christ’s love to the world.
I pray all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Many blessings, Keona