09.28.07
“PUSHING THE BUTTONS!”
II Corinthians 11:6-7
“I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?”
Several years ago, Joyce and I had just stepped into an elevator on the third floor of a hospital. I had pressed the button for the ninth floor, when a lady rushed in. She looked at me with a broad smile and said, “First floor please.” I laughed and said, I’m sorry but I just pushed the button to go up to nine.” Instead of being disgusted, she quickly replied, “Well then, I will just go along for the ride!”
Life is often like that. We are all prepared to go one direction, when we suddenly find ourselves on the opposite course. We have two choices; we can either go along for the ride and be used where the Lord leads, or we can get off and stand by waiting for the next elevator to come along.
I know that this is a drastic over simplification, but I hope you capture some thread of meaning that will apply to your present situation.
Paul freely admits his lack of training as a speaker—but God used him to become a mighty proclaimer of the truth. His evangelistic fervor elevated people to higher levels. The lost were saved and the weak were made strong in the faith. He may have felt that he was being lowered, but it was so that others may rise.
It is not our “ability” that makes the difference, but our “availability.” When we depend on our ability it is usually more of a handicap than an asset, at least when it comes to serving the Lord. Why? Because we almost always focus attention on ourselves instead of placing our trust in the Lord.
As I prepare these daily epistles, my constant prayer is that you may be elevated and may come to rely more and more upon the Lord. I just checked my log, and since September 15, 2000 I have written 1904 Daily-E-Votionals. The hours each day that are required have not been a burden, but a blessing.
Many of you have graciously written to share how a particular Daily-E was just what you needed to make it through a difficult time. I want to let you know that it is certainly not to my credit, it is God who is responsible. I simply push the buttons.
My challenge to each of us is that we will recognize that we are called to be God’s elevator operators. We are not to take people down, but to elevate them to higher levels of spiritual growth than ever before!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil