Fit
2 Thessalonians 1:11 MSG
(11) Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time–pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something.
It’s not enough to be full of great ideas, and it also takes more than just working hard to make them come to pass. Though potential is great and talents abundant, there is another thing, the requisite element, that will take all that greatness into the realm of usefulness and successful productivity. Until there is fitness, no race can be run, no matter how much ability lies resident in the body.
I had high hopes a few years ago for becoming financially independent as a result of this idea I had. Musicians are frequently in need of written scores for performing, which are oftentimes more than one page and require turning from one page to the next. Especially the accompanying pianist at a recital is in need of either someone sitting next to her/him to turn the pages, or a quick hand to reach up and flip to the next page. There had to be a better way, and I came up with this mechanical device that would attach to a music stand and, by means of a foot pedal or switch, advance the pages hands free. I even made a partially working demo of it.
There was something missing, however, in my efforts to do something with the idea. Though I may have been ‘called’ to this purpose of providing the world with a widely useful page turning device, somehow I was never fit for insuring that it became more than just a good idea. All the hard work I thought I was putting into it somehow wasn’t what was needed. There were mechanical, technical, marketing, and monetary resources that were essential and greatly lacking. At one point I even responded to one of those ads for getting your idea promoted, but that even seemed to fall short- it would take more money than I could come up with at the time. Soooo, my idea got put in a folder where it stayed while someone else that was ‘fit’ for the task developed its concept to the point of utilizing display monitors that are tied into a network where the music can be accessed.
Though all our ideas may not turn into gold, there is an idea, a goal, a dream, and a purpose that is a part of our heart and who we are that is just needing an element of ‘fitness’. It may be that, like me with my page turner, there is a long and exhaustive list of reasons why this thing will never come to pass. Education, skills, and funds may create a seemingly insurmountable mountain that prohibits any progress to the valley of fulfilled purpose. There is, though, one reason why and how this resident greatness can become more than just a concept tucked away in a folder. We have made contact with the One who put that treasure and potential in us in the first place. Hanging out with Him and allowing His unbridled greatness to transform our thinking will bring freedom from limitations and open up whole new realms of possibility. Where knowledge and skill are required, He wants to fill us with hope and belief that will motivate and propel us towards acquiring and developing whatever is necessary. Where monetary resources are needed, He will give the power, through wisdom, direction, and relationships to gain wealth and remove this obstacle no matter how great it may appear.
That this simple prayer from 2 Thessalonians is even prayed is a reason to be encouraged. Paul would not have been praying for something that was wrong or for which God wasn’t capable of doing, but this is something God is more than able to accomplish in us- “that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something.” His power isn’t just about creating universes, healing the blind, and raising the dead. He is all about taking those things that are so precious to us and making them into something significant and useful in His kingdom. It’s not just our idea or dream- it’s His.
May this day have progress in it towards the necessary ‘fitness’ of our heart’s purpose. God will empower and propel as He’s allowed to be a part of whatever idea may be new or filed away with regrets. He’s all about the best and the greatest and that is where He sees us and wants to take us in this day.
Ephesians 3:20 MSG
(20) God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
2 Timothy 2:21 KJV
(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
