It’s not about who we are or what we do; it’s about who He is

Bethany Turner
Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours) student
Avondale College of Higher Education

Do you ever feel who you are just isn’t enough? Inadequacy and I are good friends, particularly when I’m looking for a reason to say no: “I could never do that. After all, who am I?” But I’ve discovered this line isn’t original. One of the greatest leaders of all time used it and God conclusively answered the question.

Moses is just a shepherd. His job isn’t a high-profile, high-energy or high-paying one. Worse, he’s been stuck in it 40 years.

Then one day an unusual desert fire catches his attention and his life is changed forever. God has this message: “There’s a job vacancy and I’ve volunteered you for it.” That might have been flattering if the job wasn’t so impossible. God tells the man who’d done nothing but herd sheep for 40 years, “Go back to Egypt, where you’re on the wanted list, and lead a nation out of there.”

Well, Moses isn’t so sure he wants to volunteer! Imagine being asked to headline a concert at Sydney Opera House when you haven’t played for 40 years, or being asked to lead an evangelistic series when you haven’t led anyone to Jesus. Moses says to God, “Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, NLT) In other words, “What makes you think I could do the job?” Now if you ask someone that question, they’ll likely begin listing your abilities (with a few extras thrown in for good measure), but what’s God’s answer? “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12, NLT).

I will be with You. It’s not about who we are or what we do; it’s about who He is.

The challenge: be willing to go beyond your abilities because God is with you. Remember, “If you set a goal you already know how to accomplish, it probably isn’t big enough!” (Rick Warren)

And the God who makes everything beautiful for its own time

Bethany Turner
Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours) student
Avondale College of Higher Education

This is it: Avondale’s year of 2011 is about to end.

It’s hard to believe.

I remember the year beginning with similarly hot, sunny days. Classes were starting. Everything seemed fresh and new.

What about now?

Summer holidays stretch tantalisingly ahead, but, for many, a question mark hangs over them: what next?

My dreams for next year have plenty of gaps. I know only a little of what’s coming, but I’m OK with this. I know God’s presence will fill tomorrow. I know He will lead the way just as He has today. As the wise man says, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT).

Yesterday was beautiful: I remember so many experiences, lessons and moments.

Today is full of beauty, too. As I sit on the back porch this morning to pray, I realise I have so much for which to be thankful: the birds, their singing; the breeze, its freshness; the flowers, their colour; food, its taste; and the sunshine, its warmth. I’m happy because God is alive and I belong to Him. I sense His closeness, and I know love and peace are here, His gifts to me again.

Tomorrow is full of questions, but I know it will be beautiful, too—because God will be there just as He is today.

As the old sage says, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT)

There’s no need to pretend with God

Bethany Turner
Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours) student
Avondale College of Higher Education

Sunday evening: the Jacaranda Banquet. Amazing evening. Everyone is happy—they’re laughing, smiling, posing for photos. The theme: masquerade. Outfits are breathtaking, but being surrounded by masks adds a new element—a friend starts chatting to me and I don’t recognise her! It gets me thinking.

This morning. I’m so tired today. I just sit with God feeling slow and stupid. I’m apologising for my dull concentration. Prayer time is difficult. How pathetic! Surely I ought to show more enthusiasm and attentiveness while talking to God!

Do you know the feeling? Someone is talking and you’re trying to look interested. You may be masking tiredness or—dare I say it—boredom.

Over the years, I’ve often felt the need to put on a certain face for God. There were options: I could put on the repentant, the pious, the enthusiastic or the reverent face. Sleepy, stressed, or distracted faces weren’t on that list.

Today, I stop short of putting on my pious face and come to God with my tired face. What’s the point of wearing a mask, anyway? God knows me. So, this morning, I just sit with Him, relax and whisper David’s song, “Father, you’ve examined my heart and you know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You always know what I’m thinking. You know I’m tired today. No matter where I go or what I’m experiencing, your hand guides me, and your strength supports me” (paraphrased from Psalm 139:1-2, 9-10).

There’s no need to pretend with God. We can tell Him we’re tired, stressed, confused or worried. He understands, and He always cares about how we’re feeling.

A solution to busyness

Bethany Turner
Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours) student
Avondale College of Higher Education

Try this: start counting how many people tell you they’re “busy” when you ask them how they’ve been. I’m guessing it would be about nine out of 10 people in general and probably closer to 10 out of 10 people around Avondale right now.

If you’re like me, you’re already coveting a spare half an hour to waste (guilt free!). The other day, I caught myself trying to get through a reading and realising helplessly that my mind was too full to fit another word in. It’s when you get to the point where you’re rushing so much, you’re no longer getting anything done.

It reminded me of a recent class visit to a Buddhist temple. One of the women at the temple told me she starts every day with an hour of meditation, and she feels this gives her a sense of calm to meet the day.

That’s a great idea—particularly at times like this, when I feel anything but calm! Except I’d prefer to have the added bonus of unloading my problems on Someone bigger than me.

We might not have been the original intended audience, but I think God thought of us when he said, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10, NLT).

We need to stop what we’re doing right where we are and simply be and know. Be with God—wrapped in His presence. Know that He is the great I AM, who created time and holds all the wisdom of the universe in His hands.

Jesus says to all of us, with the deadlines and problems that harass us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

Let’s just stop. Be still. Know that He is our God.