Use Me, Lord!.
by Tom
Caballes
"Now
in a great house, there are not only
vessels of gold and silver but also
of wood and clay, some for
honourable use, some for
dishonourable. Therefore, if anyone
cleanses himself from what is
dishonourable, he will be a vessel
for honourable use, set apart as
holy, useful to the master of the
house, ready for every good work"
- 2 Timothy 2:20-21 ESV
We all want to live meaningful
and purposeful lives and do not want our lives
to go to waste. And we also know we all live
in borrowed time. As Christians, we know we
have an inheritance “that is imperishable,
undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for
you.” [1 Peter 1:4] We are a new
creation in Christ. We are being transformed
into Jesus’ likeness day by day. Apart from
that, how else can we make use of our time and
talents to make a difference for God’s
Kingdom? Our prayer and desire should be, “Use
me, Lord!” In small and big things, that
should be the cry of our hearts. That should
be our desire as we wake up and the thought
that occupies us as we sleep. Pray daily until
it is ingrained in your very soul: Use me,
Lord! If you are pursuing purely selfish
interests in life, it is a waste. What is more
worthwhile doing than pursuing God’s Kingdom
here on earth?
So How Do We
Allow God to Use Us?
- Love
God radically. Radical means deeply rooted.
Have you left everything behind to follow
God? Is there an area in your life that God
is off-limits to Him? What occupies your
time, money, and energy daily? Do you live a
life with integrity? Or is God a nice
accessory in your life who occupies your
second or lesser priority?
- Your
mind is key. Do not be conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may
discern what is the will of God, what is
good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans
12:2 ESV) Do not follow the world’s
thinking of pursuing happiness, pleasure,
and wealth at all costs –they will all be
meaningless one day. Let God’s word form
your mind – your values, thinking, and
priorities in life.
- Pursue
holiness. Only a vessel dedicated to God’s
use will be used for honourable purposes. It
is a constant battle against the world, the
flesh and the devil, but if we want God to
use us in honourable ways, seek holiness.
- Practice
the presence of God. Pray unceasingly. Walk
with God the whole day at home, work or
school. Glorify God through your trials. You
will have good days and bad days – but have
both days with God on your side.
- Seek
God’s Kingdom to come, and His will be done
in your circumstances. Sometimes we do not
know what God is doing in our lives; be
patient and have faith that God will be
there for you always.
- God
wants to use you for the proclamation of the
Gospel. Seek opportunities to share the
Gospel with the people around you. Pray for
their conversion. Jesus is the best
conversation topic you can ever have. Jesus
is the best gift you can ever give to
anyone. Even at difficult times, do not give
up sharing the Gospel.
- We
only have about eighty years of life. Let
each day of your life make a difference for
God – by glorifying Him in big and small
things. Let God be the daily and ultimate
focus of your life. Pray daily: Use me,
Lord!
Other Scripture passages:
- And
he said to him, “You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew
22:37 ESV)
- Strive
for peace with everyone, and for the
holiness without which no one will see the
Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)
- And
whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through
him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)
- Other
Bible verses: 1 Peter 2:16; Galatians
5:13; Ephesians 3:14-19; and 1 John
3:16-18.
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- How
can you ingrain in your daily life the
prayer, “Use me, Lord?”
- What
other pursuits are you chasing after that
are not for God’s glory and Kingdom?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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Photo credits: Two
young women talking: BigStock.com Photo
ID: 44793172, Copyright: toxawww
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