God Is

Do you feel like you have to serve God, or else? Like some pressure of not being good enough, not doing enough?

The more I read the Bible, the more I see a beautiful picture begin to emerge… a pattern. God doesn’t need our help. Not one bit.

If you struggle with this, I recommend Watchman Nee’s book: “Sit, Walk, Stand.” (It is SO good. You can find the link to this book under “Books” on the Recommended by Michelle tab of my website.)

Mr. Nee talks about the DONEness of God. God was before we were created & before time began. God made the world (without our help) before He made us. He saved us from the consequences of our own sin, through Jesus, when we couldn’t save ourselves. He is not pacing heaven trying to find solutions. He. Is. Seated.

We Can Feel Like We’re Never Enough… But That’s Just It… We’re Not… But He IS

I get it. This is going to make some of you a little uncomfortable. We know we OUGHT to serve God, so saying this sort of thing can sound like I am saying the opposite. I’m not.

We most definitely ought to serve God. It’s His right. He is deserving of it. He holds full authority in heaven & on earth… throughout all time. Master & Creator. We ought to serve Him, no question.

But that does not change the other side of that coin—that He equally & absolutely does not need our help.

Look What People Accomplished Because the People Trusted GOD

Consider God’s response to Job—basically, “where were YOU when I made literally everything?”

Or Moses… Moses didn’t have magical powers. GOD worked those miracles.

Gideon overcame fear as God gently helped him through it.

David won battles because he kept asking God for wisdom & direction.

Daniel slept unscathed with hungry lions because God shut their mouths.

Why is it so hard to trust that God has this kind of power available to Him? Why do we minimize Him? God can do literally anything, any time, with anyone. He is in full control at all times. He doesn’t need our help.

So, if He doesn’t need me, why serve Him?

God Is GOD

Well, aside from His deserving that I mentioned above, really because He tells us to. And if God tells us to do something, we can be completely assured it is 100% always for not only His glory, but for our GOOD.

He knows what His world needs. He knows what we need. He knows how best to take care of both & everything. If He says it, we ought to take His word for it & DO it.

But not without His help.

With all of His not needing our help… it goes beyond that… He can give HIS help to US as we seek to serve Him.

Don’t Underestimate the God Who Made the Heavens

How many times have you said things like… “Oh, I can’t serve in that because it’s just not my thing.”?

Raising my hand right now because I HAVE DONE THAT.

I have ways to serve that just make me passionate & I could do it all day because it just lights a fire in me. Teaching the 4s & 5s class (during the EARLY service, might I add) is NOT that.

But I prayed. I asked God where He wanted me to plug in… & no matter WHAT I did, I could NOT shake the nudge to volunteer anyway. So, I prayed more. And it felt as if God were saying, “Michelle, I heard you & I gave you My answer. Do you want to do what makes you feel good, or do you want to serve where they most need help?” My answer was a mumbled, defeated-because-I-knew-He-was-right “…um…. both…….?”

Look What God Can Do through Us When We Trust & Obey Him

And you know what? It’s not necessarily my thing, but God has worked through me in those kids. I’ve seen it. I rehearse gospel points every week, asking them to tell me what sin is… to give examples… that it’s more than “doing bad things,” but more of a not measuring up to the standard of GOD & that we ALL miss it because He is PERFECT & we most certainly are not. We talk about Jesus, Who He is, what He gave… His LOVE for us… the consequences of our sin. We talk about repentance & choosing to trust Jesus to save us & not just trying to be good. And the more months that pass, the more they fill in the blank without needing my help.

God had a plan. I obeyed. God is working His plan through me, allowing me to see His good work all because I obeyed.

But He doesn’t need me. He could call someone else. They could reject Him, too & God would STILL find a way to get His message to them another way. He is never limited by our unwillingness &/or rebellion to His call.

I am not His solution.

God Doesn’t Need Your Help… But We Ought to Submit to His

But, by showing up… by pointing to Him… I can impact someone looking for hope. I can add blessings into the world because I obey. Because I let Him be God through me to others around me.

It takes a dying to self. It takes a willingness to say, “this isn’t my thing, but if it’s Your will, fill in the gaps & give me the grace I need to endure &/or be faithful in it.”

“I am not good at this, but I love You, so help supply what I need to walk faithfully in it anyway.”

“I’m not enjoying this, but I love You, so help give me the grace to do it anyway, living for You & trusting You more than myself.”

“I don’t have time/energy for this, but I love You, so supply the time so I can do this.”

Don’t limit God. He made the world without your help. His Word, the Bible, has POWER in its truth… & I don’t even mean it JUST being life-changing to obey/follow truth… I mean nourishing your heart & soul beyond what seems possible just by reading it & learning it & spending time in His presence through talking with Him in prayer & reading His Word.

Don’t Limit God

He doesn’t need your help, but just like a child alongside his daddy, holding a toy hammer that doesn’t do a thing, “helping” build… the child gets to work alongside his dad, see the building go up through their efforts… feel the joy & hope… to see how big & strong & capable His dad really is, knowing you can count on Him no matter what because you’ve gotten to see firsthand just what He can do.

God doesn’t need your help, but He knows your help is for your good. You get to see Him be sufficient where you lack. You get to see His love for others lived out through your faithfulness. You get to feel the joy He feels when others are blessed through your efforts. And others get to witness a tangible testimony for God’s great love & faithfulness.

God doesn’t need your help… but we ought to submit to His.

Shine HOPE by letting God be GOD in you. By understanding He is sufficient. By letting Him love others through your life, with His help & supply that never runs out.

Coming Next Week

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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 7 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Reverie Suede Bag (INDIA)

Each design is created by bold women in India earning a dignified wage for their work. With its iconic look, the Reverie Suede Bag has an interior zipper pocket, interior slip pocket, key leash, and is perfect for your everyday essentials! The ethically made Cygnus Rising Charm is stunning and perfect to add to any handbag for an upgraded look!

***Purchase these beautifully handcrafted items, using the “Shop Here” link below to help empower women in extreme areas of poverty in India.***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!