Still Water Moments: The Art of The Specialist
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence…
In most schools there are teachers called specialists that have training in a specific area such as music, art, physical education, etc. Each class within an elementary school usually sees each of them 1-2 times per week for a lesson based on their area of expertise. My brother and I are blessed to work in the same school where he is the physical education teacher. You can call me biased, but I have the proof that he goes above and beyond any gym teacher I’ve had. He finds ways to incorporate math, reading, and social emotional content into the lessons and activities he prepares. Mind you, he tailors it age appropriately for all of the students in the school, grades preschool-5th. He has posters, photos, a vocabulary wall, and self-created anchor charts on display to support the content he teaches.
If you have been walking with Christ, you have learned that He doesn’t just specialize in one area, but He embodies every good thing we need Him to be. Look up the names of God and their meanings to be in awe of His vastness and encouraged by His ability! For example, He is Jehovah Rapha, The Lord Who Heals; Jehovah Shammah, The Lord is There; Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is Peace; and the well well-known Jehovah Jireh, The Lord will Provide. The astounding thing is these are just a few of His names! He is the original Specialist, the great I Am, (Exodus 3:14), Who specializes in everything at once! This personal God is omnipotent, thus in the same moment He can make Himself seen and known to each individual as whatever we each need Him to be at that given time. Revelation 3:20 states, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." God longs to build a relationship with each of us and in doing so, we reap the benefits of learning and encountering Who He is. He is inexhaustible so we can spend a lifetime experiencing His many characteristics if we would take the opportunity to receive and welcome Him into our daily lives and circumstances.
As followers of Christ, He has placed gifts within us that enable us to “specialize” in an area that benefits others. This gift may be utilized in ministry but for the purposes of this devotional, I’m focusing on those 1:1 moments that may be impromptu to you but not to God. These gifts may be utilized with a friend, coworker, church peer, family member, stranger, etc. God just calls us to be willing to be used and obedient to follow His prompting when He orchestrates opportunities to use the gifts. Perhaps you’re a good listener, or a person whose disposition radiates welcome and comfort. Maybe God gives you discernment about a person’s insecurity and prompts you to encourage them. You may be the sought after person that consistently gives God inspired good advice. Maybe you’re the person that knows how to reach children, teens, the ill or someone who has experienced trauma. We can’t underestimate the ability God puts within each of us to turn someone’s outlook around if we allow ourselves to be used by Him. In this manner we further the gospel by showing Christ through our actions.
Reflection: As you study the names of God, which one speaks to your present situation? Try speaking that name aloud repeatedly and experience the comfort of getting to personally know that facet of God!
