The end of the year can be a little daunting, can’t it? For some of us, it’s a time of reflection as we prepare for a new year. In those reflection moments, perhaps we fall into the blues as we realize our God-given dreams took a backseat to the busyness of life. Or on the flipside, perhaps we feel frazzled because those dreams are coming to fruition faster than we feel prepared for. It’s easy to feel unprepared, unworthy, or unqualified for our divine callings if we view them through the lens of our human limitations.
As I reflect on the story of Christ’s incarnation, I can’t help but think about how Mary and Joseph must have felt all these things and so much more. Imagine a couple of teenagers being told that in just 9 months, they would be entrusted to raise and care for the long-awaited Messiah. I think it’s safe to say that most people doubt their ability as parents from the moment they hear the news that they are expecting a child. And that doubt carries on for much of their lives. Worrying and wondering if they are doing it right. If they are enough. But parenting the Savior of the world surely magnified those feelings of inadequacy. I wonder what Mary and Joseph’s prayers were like as they struggled with these emotions throughout Jesus’s life.
Friends, God is birthing something in you too. A passion. A calling. A vision. Something special for His Kingdom and His glory. If you feel inadequate, join the party. And guess what? We are. But that’s the beauty of it! The sooner we can accept the fact that apart from God we cannot complete our God given callings, the sooner we will run to the Father to obtain what we need to fulfill the plans He has for us.
Breath Prayers
I’d like to share some encouraging scriptures that you can meditate on when you are struggling with feeling unqualified for what God is asking you to do. These are great to turn into breath prayers. To do this practice, simply silently pray the first line of the prayer as you breathe in, and then silently pray the second line as you breathe out. I like to do this a few times to help me stay centered on God’s truths. I hope these simple but powerful prayers will help you overcome anything holding you back from walking in your God given purpose undaunted.
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Prayer:
I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
So that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
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
Prayer:
For I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
Which God prepared beforehand so that I would walk in them.
I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Prayer:
God is the vine, and I am the branch,
If I remain in Him I will bear much fruit.
As you prepare to embark on a new year, how are you feeling about where God is leading you? Please share in the comments.