Did you ever feel like God had put something on your heart, but didn’t have any idea how it could be accomplished? As a teenager, knowing that God had called me, I had a few objections, like Moses when God called him. I thought that my speech challenges in some way disqualified me from being used by the Lord, I thought that He would be better served if He just found someone else. I didn’t want to share what God had put on my heart, because as a youth I was too afraid of what others might think. The enemy tried to put all those thoughts in my head so that I would say “no” to everything God wanted to do through me. The account of God calling Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:20 is an excellent example of how we should respond to Him.

In verse 10 after receiving instruction from Eli, Samuel basically tells the Lord that here he is to listen to whatever the Lord wanted to say. Notice that when the Lord called to him the previous two times that Samuel merely heard God’s voice and responded with natural wisdom. Exodus tells us the story of how God called Moses and he responded in the natural by not wanting anything to do with this calling. Being used by God begins with listening to what He is saying.

My attitude about God’s calling started to change one year at Summer Get Away when a friend came to me and asked me if I sensed a call to ministry. She said that God showed her that He wanted to use me. If that wasn’t enough, my great-aunts called my parents and told them that God showed them that He would use me. This was very encouraging to me because there is no way they could have known unless God really did show them. My success in a Teen Bible Quiz league also encouraged me that my challenges could be overcome. The quiz coordinator was a Speech Pathologist that was familiar with my challenge. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit didn’t give up on me and taught me that it is not about my disability but it is all about Jesus and what He wants to do through me, regardless of my challenges.

Did you ever feel like you don’t make a difference? When I used a power wheelchair several years ago, my friends told me that I was naughty for running over their little toes. They told me that their toes were very, very important and didn’t want me to run them over anymore. Toes may be small, often hidden, and forgotten at times (until I run them over) but they are vital to one’s mobility.

Whether God calls us to a visible ministry or to a “camouflage” ministry like a toe, we need to be prepared to listen to Him however He directs us. Some of you may minister in the context of a church while others may minister in a group home. I am reminded of the Prophet Daniel who was a mighty man of God but ministered in the setting of political administration. My friend, Stacey, is a delivery nurse in a hospital and sees her job as her ministry. Sometimes things can be difficult for parents who are having a baby, and she has the opportunity to share a timely word that conveys the love of Jesus. Like little toes, Stacey’s ministry is not very visible in the church but is very needed by young parents. Stacey has been a blessing to so many and is always eager to cut up my food. However, I would be very terrified if I had to be her patient! I believe that God has a great plan for each of us and wants us to work together as one body.

Verses 18-19 indicate that Samuel obeyed the word of the Lord and eventually served as God’s spokesman. I believe that when he says, “Here I am” to God, he was also saying, “Here I am to obey you Lord.” A casual study of Samuel’s life would reveal that he often choose obedience over sacrifice. Samuel grew-up being faithful to the One who called him as a young boy.

On the other hand, the account of Moses’ calling in Exodus makes it clear that he had some doubts about God’s plan to lead His people to freedom. Moses’ concern about speaking wasn’t anything new to God, He already had Aaron prepared to help him with it. Moses became alarmed when he saw his limitation in light of the God-size challenge that was ahead of him. The issue wasn’t so much his speech as it was his understanding that God wanted to do great things through him. It is easy to get focused on the challenge, but God wants us to keep our focus on Him.

Like Moses, God had a plan to overcome the challenges presented by my speech concerns as I type out each word in PowerPoint slides. Listener can then read my sermons while I am speaking. People in my church have commented they can better understand my conversational speech as a result of hearing me speech. Typing out my sermons requires an extra effort on my part, but it is rewarding to hear the laughter, to see the tears, and know that people are being touched by God. While I would MUCH rather work behind the scenes, it is not about me but all about God. Whether I wash feet, develop computer programs, write articles, or speak; I want to do all of them for the glory of God.

I want to encourage you whether you are disabled or not to say “Here I Am” waiting on the Lord seeing what the Lord has for you. Regardless of disability, we are all equally important and have a ministry to do for the Lord. If God has laid a passion on your heart and aren’t sure how to get started, please email me at bmattrisch@specialtouch.org. Don’t let your challenge keep you from the destiny that God wants you to posses. Look for more about using your God-given gifts in upcoming eNewsletter issues.

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