POCKETSTONE

 

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”               II Chronicles 20:15 NIV

A flawless pebble, smooth and golden, lay on the path ahead of me, a perfect worry stone. As I reached for it, I thought of David choosing five stones with which to face Goliath. I picked it up, stroked its glassy surface, turned it over…

My thumb slide across the smooth edges and into a rough, ragged hollow on its underside.

I’m like that flawed stone. I lie here on this dusty earth showing my best side, hiding my faults, waiting for God to choose me, to pick me up, to use me in the battle.

But an imperfect stone won’t fly straight, and neither will an imperfect saint. What can I do? How can I mend my flaws? I want to fight, to do great things for Him. How can He possibly use me? I’m not good enough, not big enough, not strong enough, not… anything enough.

But what is that to me, a lowly, daydreaming stone? The battle is the LORD’s, and He has chosen me. If He wants to work with imperfect people—and in this world, broken people are all He has to choose from—He is able. He’s very good at adjusting His aim to allow for our flaws. When I quit trying to fight His battles in my own strength, when I just lie quietly in His sling and wait for His timing, I fly straight and true.

PRAYER: My Lord, whisper to me as You whispered to the sea, “Peace; be still.” In the name of Jesus, Amen.