And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Henri Nouwen wrote, “But whenever I become a little useless I know that God is calling me to a new life beyond the boundaries of my usefulness.”
Useful or useless? I imagine Moses may have felt useless during the 40 years he spent in the desert after he fled from Egypt. He went from a prince to a shepherd, spending long hours in the desert with his sheep. But God was preparing him for something big. A burning bush announced his next assignment.
Paul spent three years, after his experience on the Road to Damascus, in Arabia, studying and learning what God had for him to say and teach to the Gentiles.
Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days to prepare for His public ministry.
We all spent 40 weeks in isolation last year during the pandemic. I know I felt fairly useless during that time. I’d much prefer to be busy, active, productive, making a difference. But we stayed home.
What is God preparing us for? As I observe the world these days, people need the calm assurance that He is in control. He has walked with us through unexpected days of solitude. Sometimes we felt alone and lonely. Other times, we felt secure and rested. And then there were the days we wanted to get out and get going. But He was always there to comfort and to guide us.
Have you felt His leading to something new? Normal has changed and life may never be the same. Our usefulness is in the hands of the Savior as we have had to lay down our expectations so we can pick up new possibilities. But be assured that He has your next assignment planned. Pay attention.