(Written by: Carson Slater)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB1995
I recall a flashback to a high school class I had where we studied missions. This was in preparation for a trip to Romania to preach the gospel to people there. About a week from the departure date, one of the people in my class raised their hands and asked our teacher and trip leader, “I know that we have been preparing for a couple of months, but I still do not feel ready! Is it normal to feel this way? And should I feel this way at all?”
Immediately the whole class broke out into conversation, sharing similar sentiments. The excitement of opportunities to share the gospel combined with the fears of us missing out on select opportunities and not stewarding them ‘well enough’ instilled this sense of inadequacy in us. What followed was a classroom discussion that I will never forget.
Some of the points of the discussion highlighted that no matter how ‘ready’ we feel, the reality that we as Christians have a charge to partake in ministry does not change. From that conversation, I was so encouraged by the reminder that “the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in [me]” (Rom. 6:11). Additionally, the burden of both my own and other’s salvation does not lie on myself! Hence, I don’t need to feel ‘ready’ to partake in evangelism. God has equipped me with everything I need: the gospel! By this I am so encouraged.
So, in preparation for this trip, I know that I might never feel completely ‘ready.’ However; I am reminded and encouraged that God has created me for good works, and has also prepared them for me. In this I am comforted. It appears that all God asks of me is to step into these works that He has created for me, which is far less burdensome than I make it out to be. Praise God for equipping us with all that we need to be effective for Him!