“Lord, are you sure?” I whisper to Him, sitting quietly at my kitchen table. “You want me to do what?”
And the still, small voice answered, “Yes. I’ll be with you.”
That reassurance alone should have been enough in that moment, and yet the doubt still came creeping in. If you’re anything like me, you’ve experienced the fear that wells up inside when God asks you to do something you feel unqualified to do; something far beyond your comfort zone. Maybe He’s called you to lead, speak, write, serve, or forgive. And suddenly, where you used to see potential, now all you can see is what you lack.
As women, we can’t go more than a moment without being reminded of where we are lacking. In our own insecurity, avoidance, and self-doubts, we say, “Aha, I know how to fix this! I am going to work way harder!” And so we strive to do it all, and run on the hamster wheel of achievement, success, and earning. In our own strength, we try to control the narrative. We believe that if we work harder, hustle longer, and strive more, we will somehow be able to accomplish it all. Yet every time we are left feeling empty, burnt out, and disappointed. Every time, we come face to face with the reality that no, we cannot do this on our own.
Why? Because that’s not how God works. Perfection and achievement are not what God is looking for. He’s looking for you. He’s looking for your availability. He’s looking for your obedience.
When God asked me to step into this assignment, my first thought wasn’t excitement; it was insecurity. How could God possibly use someone like me? And yet, I remembered His words. “I’ll be with you.” How could I have disregarded that God, being so good, specializes in the miracle? He doesn’t wait for us to have it all together before He uses us, and He is kind enough to assure us He will be there every step of the way.
Throughout Scripture, we see it over and over again: ordinary, flawed, overlooked men and women chosen by an extraordinary God to carry out His perfect will. Not because they were enough on their own, but because He was with them. In our weakness, His glory is made visible. As 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 beautifully reminds us, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
The truth is, it’s not on us to be sufficient. It never was. And thank goodness it’s not. God knows that we are insufficient without Him. He knows that we need Him; in fact, He created us to be dependent on Him. The call He places on our lives isn’t about proving our worth; it’s about trusting His.
What I’ve learned is that the more I rest in and remember my identity as His daughter, the more peace I experience. Whenever I get so caught up and running around trying to provide for myself, I picture Him watching me the way a parent watches a child playing dress-up in adult clothes —shoes too big, sleeves dragging, pretending to be grown-up. He sees me trying so hard, and I imagine He smiles. Maybe even chuckles a little. Because He knows: I don’t have to pretend. He sees me for exactly who I am, and loves me anyway.
He never asked me to be perfect, He just asked me to be His. To be willing to agree to move forward, not holding confidence within myself, but only within Him. I can find confidence to move forward because I know that He is with me, and He’s also with you.
And that changes everything.
“Okay, God. Let’s do this.”
About the Author:
I’m Katherine (but my friends call me Katie!). I’m an occupational therapist, writer, and a woman who has been deeply transformed by God’s grace. Now, I’m passionate about helping others walk in the freedom and fullness of life found only in Jesus. When I’m not leading Bible studies or writing, you’ll find me spending time with my family, soaking up sunshine, and making as many things from scratch as possible.
Connect with Katherine:
Instagram: @transformedforlife2517
Tik tok: @transformedforlife2517
https://www.transformedforlife.net
