Have you ever felt like you just weren't good enough
or wondered how God could possibly use a person as unqualified
as yourself? One day, as I was walking down the streets of a neighborhood in Colombia, South America, God began to address this issue in my life. I had just arrived with a group from the United States to assist in a week of church planting and door-to-door evangelism. I was content to be part of the team and contribute to conversations when I felt comfortable, but God was ready to move me out of my comfort zone.
He began to say to me, Sherri, there are plenty of translators. You could take one and go door-to-door on your own.
I quickly replied, Oh, no Lord!
and reminded Him that it would not be wise for a young woman to be traipsing around a foreign country apart from her group. He, of course, was not impressed with my debate. The truth was that I was gripped with the fear that I was not adequately prepared to share the gospel. After all, I did not have the entire Bible memorized, and I wasn't quite sure who begat Enoch! The Lord was patient with me but very persistent, so I finally conceded and obeyed.
When my translator and I arrived at the first house, I was welcomed by a most hospitable woman who was very interested to hear what I had to share. And though I was extremely nervous and fumbled over most of my words, she and her entire family accepted Christ and were saved that day. The morning and afternoon went on in the same manner with some receiving Christ and others refusing. It was an emotionally difficult day, as it sometimes is when we step outside of that which is comfortable to us; and even though I had seen people's lives change, I was still upset and bothered by the fact that it had not been easy for me.
The next morning when we arrived back in the same neighborhood, a Colombian woman abruptly approached us speaking in an extremely excited tone of voice. She requested that a member of our team go with her, so of course, one man went. A little while later, as I looked down a side street, I saw that same man standing up on an elevated porch preaching the gospel to a group of about twenty-five people. I was in my heart happy for him and for those people, but at the same time I was saddened that speaking seemed so easy for him and it proved to be so difficult for me.
About an hour later, as miday approached, I walked through the door into the house where we were all scheduled to meet for lunch. My husband and members of my team quickly rushed toward me and asked if I knew what had happened. They explained to me that the woman with whom I had shared the gospel had gathered up all of her friends so that they too could hear the message of Jesus Christ—and that was the crowd that I had seen down the street. I was shocked and comforted and overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to the Lord. God took my small effort and multiplied it many times over.
From now on, I will remember and believe that my efforts are always good enough when placed into the hands of Jesus since I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
(Philippians 4:13) and since my weakness is made strong through Him who causes all things to work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose
(Romans 8:28).
