May 19, 2026 Devo

Sunday in my sermon, I challenged our people to seize the “higher calling” that God has on our lives. Like Peter, He has called us all to be “fishers of men.” But I’ve found, as many of you have, that being used by God can be both scary and frustrating. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I don’t know enough? What if someone asks me a question that I can’t answer? At times, it seems as if it might just be easier to leave the work of God to the professionals. Or at least, leave it to people who are smarter or better than ME!
But we make a big mistake when we think that way. We forget that the work we do isn’t really about what WE can do. It’s about what God can do THROUGH us! I can’t make people see the light. Only God can do that. I can’t bring conviction to people’s hearts. Only God can do that. I can’t save a soul, change a life, or set a person free. Only God can do that. God just needs vessels to pour Himself through. Not experts who are full of themselves.
Another mistake we make is focusing on the visible results that we see or don’t see. We forget when we teach, share, or witness that sometimes we are planting seeds. At other times, we’re watering seeds that someone else has planted. And then there are those rare, precious moments where we see our words stick or we get to witness the miracle of transformation in someone’s life. Sadly, many of us give up, get frustrated, or just quit trying when we don’t see the results we want.
We have two big, beautiful trees in front of our home. They are not only pretty, but they also give us nice shade for our driveway and the western side of our home. But they weren’t big, beautiful, and shady when we moved in 16 years ago. In fact, they weren’t there at all. A neighbor gave them to us when they were just sticks. We planted them, and God’s sunshine, rain, and dirt gave them life, growth, and health. We knew nothing about growing trees. But we faithfully put two sticks in God’s Hands and let Him do the work.
Don’t grow weary in well doing. Teach that class. Lead that group. Preach that sermon. Talk to someone about Jesus. And do it even if you don’t see any immediate return at all. Let your approach to your “higher calling” be the philosophy that Isaiah teaches us. “I leave it all in the LORD’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” That’s God’s Word for you today.