Where Does Our Confidence Come From? By Lisa Burkhardt Worley
This week we held the premiere of the documentary, Terror in Toulouse: Has the Community Recovered? It was overwhelming to watch it on the big screen and brought tears to my eyes again, even though I had viewed the video presentation scores of times.
Afterwards, several people said, “I’m so proud of you.” I never know how to take that. Does it mean that they didn’t expect this kind of product out of me? Did I exceed my abilities? All this is true. However when God calls us to do a project for Him, He provides the vision, the provision and the ability.
Jesus experienced this kind of amazement from others in Mark 6 when he taught in his neighborhood synagogue. “And many hearing Him were astonished saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” The people were actually offended by His words. But they did not realize that Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit. He was on a mission ordained by His Father and used verbiage that funneled directly from Heaven.
Proverbs 3:26 says, “The LORD is your confidence.” What I’ve learned is that I don’t have confidence on my own, but if God has called me to it, I’ll tell the world.
Over the past couple of days, Pearls of Promise team member, Michelle Burden, and I attended the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Houston. It was an event filled with U.S. and Israeli governmental dignitaries, as well as others, who worshiped together and prayed for Israel. It’s always an inspiring two days.
I took a business card with me to the event, created by another team member, Aurora Ortega Geis. The card had a QR code on it leading right to the Terror in Toulouse documentary. Normally, I am very shy about meeting new people, but we prayed for divine appointments and I boldly gave the card to those God placed in front of me. Now I just have to see how the LORD works on behalf of this work to fight antisemitism.
The important thing to remember is to not take credit for what God is doing in and through us. For myself, I know He is the one who provides for the calling. While others may be amazed and proud, it is because I have an amazing God working behind the scenes on my behalf.
So what about you? Have you been commissioned by the LORD to do a great work beyond your abilities here on Earth? Do what He says, and walk confidently. People may be proud and amazed, but you’ll know it’s because God is the One doing this in and through you.