Recently I was listening to a message given by Danielle Strickland at the Global Leadership Summit. She was speaking about Gideon and his insecurities. Funny, I hadn't read, studied, or thought about the character Gideon (One of Israel's Judges) in years. Her message hit home, a message I believe we all need to be reminded of.
In the Book of Judges (in the Hebrew Scripture) Israel had been conquered by a neighboring tribe, the Midianites. The Midianites were brutal to the Hebrews. So, Israel calls on God to rescue them and God steps in.
Beginning in chapter 6, we find Gideon hiding, trying to feed his family when the Angel of the LORD appears to him and says, “Mighty Hero!! (Warrior)” Gideon is cowering in a winepress and was like, "Huh? Hero?! are you kidding?! I'm from the weakest tribe in Israel and I'm the weakest in the tribe!" But God responds to him, "Go in the strength that you have!” YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU NEED! (You can read about Gideon in Judges 6-8.)
You see - Many of us, like Gideon, have that tape that begins to play in our heads when an opportunity arises. When we hear God say, "Hey, Mr. or Ms. Incredible!" The tape plays phrases like, "Huh?! No, I'm not incredible! I'm not smart enough, or I'm the wrong gender, or I don't have the skills, etc..." and God responds, "Stop the Tape!"
That tape is a loud-mouthed bully and we need to treat it like it is. Ignore that tape, stand up to that tape, stop that tape, and listen to God's Spirit! We all have what we need to do amazing things in and for God's Kingdom. We simply (but with difficulty) need to step out of our hiding places and with true humility move forward and watch with amazement what God can and will do through us!
True humility is neither arrogance nor insecurity, humility is seeing ourselves as God sees us, and that's pretty awesome! Now, let us all go out into our world and wage war on hate, fear, despair, and all forms of evil that fight against the Gospel of Christ!
