“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Last February 18, 2022, we attended the Discipler’s Fellowship, where one of our elders discussed the roles of a discipler. The one that struck me the most was “to realize that we (as disciplers) are inadequate for the task of discipling.”
I first came to Oman in 2009 and was invited to attend OECC. After I attended the first worship service and shared that I have been a Christian since 2002, someone asked me, “So what is your ministry in the Philippines?” to which I replied, “I’m sorry, but I have none.” This is because I was only a churchgoer for seven years (on and off) and some Christian disciplines like tithing, quiet time, ministry involvement, evangelism, discipleship, and bible study were still vague to me. Before, I thought that being a Christian was an end in itself – I am saved and secured of my place in heaven, that’s it!
During my early years in OECC, I would even intentionally position myself far from the dining table during fellowship or Bible study, so I would not be asked to pray for the food because it is nerve-wracking for me to pray in front of many people. And one time, I was asked to evangelize a visitor in the church, timidly, I said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to share the Gospel.”
But through all my inadequacy, God is faithful! Through the years, He used OECC brethren who discipled me to grow in my faith and discover my God-given gifts for His glory. Through acknowledging my unworthiness before the Lord, He has provided me with wisdom, understanding, and joy to learn, one day at a time, how to know, love and serve Him best.
Now that I am a discipler myself, I still feel unequipped and unqualified, but God said in His Word that His grace is enough to sustain my needs as I seek and abide in Him daily.
Heavenly Father, thank you that you have filled my inadequacy, for in my weakness You are my strength, in my foolishness, You are my source of wisdom. I admit that apart from You, I am nothing. So be with me in all that I do. Amen!
