“But with God and three pennies, I can do anything.”- Mother Teresa
Shortly after Mother Teresa took her vows, she shared her vision, her what if, with her mother superiors. She told them she had three pennies and a dream from God to build an orphanage. Displaying narrow framing, Mother Teresa’s superiors told her three pennies financed nothing, much less an orphanage . Unfazed, Mother Teresa responded adding God to the equation made anything possible.
As Mark Batterson emphasizes in Chapter 24 (Change Agents”) of If, “never underestimate someone on a mission from God.” Most noteworthy, Pastor Batterson encourages, each of us has a calling from God:
“Someone may have hired you to do your job, but make no mistake about it, they didn’t call you. Only God can call us. . . . No matter where you work or what you do, you are called by God. Your job is your sermon. Your colleagues are your congregation. As a result, that sense of calling turns Monday morning into what if.”
Mark reminds you that, as a change agent called and commissioned by God, God always places you where He wants you to be- despite your protestations that He failed to honor your choice. When it comes to calling, Mark states, there four keys unlock what if:
1. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Pastor Batterson believes there is a strong likelihood God will call you to something beyond your ability and your resources. Consequently, you have to rely on God every single day- and you will keep growing and learning.
2. Criticize by creating. Criticism, in the author’s opinion, is a crutch used by those too lazy to solve the problem they are complaining about. Mark states: “At the end of the day, we should be more known for what we’re for than what we’re against.”
3. The anointing is for everyone. Whatever it is you are called to do, God wants to anoint you.
4. Live for the applause of nail-scarred hands. Do whatever it is God has called you to do as if your life depended on it.
In conclusion, Richard Boles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, profoundly observes that calling is all about “taking the mundane, offering it to God, and asking Him to transfigure it.”
Today’s question: What would you do with God and three pennies? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Chain reaction of faith”
