The title of today's lesson in My Utmost is actually "Individual Discouragement and Personal Growth," so after yesterday's post I had to share. The last two days have talked about getting into "God's stride" and Oswald says that this is summed up in these words--"I AM WHO I AM...has sent me to you." (Exodus 3:14) This is from Exodus when Moses was sent to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses just knew that he was going to be the one to do that, but he went about it the wrong way. He first needed to learn true fellowship and oneness with God.
Apparently, Moses was a little discouraged when he was sent to the desert to tend sheep for forty years, but by the time God came to him in that burning bush he was a little more ready to depend on God rather than his own strength. At that point he actually told God he couldn't do it, send somebody else (Exodus 3:10-11). God had to remind him that he wouldn't be doing it..."I AM" would.
This lesson also says, "We must learn that our individual effort for God shows nothing but disrespect for Him--our individuality is to be rendered radiant through a personal relationship with God so that He may be 'well-pleased'."
I take from all this that God doesn't want (or need, for that matter) me to do anything for Him. He just wants me to focus on my relationship with Him and He will do things through me.
The lesson ends by saying, "If you are going through a time of discouragement, there is a time of great personal growth ahead."
