Ted Johnson writes...

I know I am imperfect. Sometimes I know it, see it, feel it more deeply than at other times. When I do, I am prone to think, "What good am I? I am useless. It would be better for me to just step aside, and let someone else pastor this church who can do it much better than I can. What if I am actually causing more harm than good? " A truly scary thought.

Usually what breaks the spell of this line of thinking, is a very simple reality - "Everybody else is imperfect too!" God has so arranged that He does (and always has done) His work through imperfect people. From Abraham to Moses to Joshua to David to Peter and Paul - not a one of them had "arrived". Yet God still used them, not because they were perfect, but because He chose to use them. This changes my whole perspective... God has determined where I am - He chose me as His child, He gave me the abilities I have to use in His service, He arranged for me to serve as a leader in His church - I accomplished none of those things.

So, though I am imperfect, where I am is based on God chosing. So rather than morosely focusing on my inadequacies, I need to focus on the task at hand, in the reality that God's grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9). In humility, I take a deep breath, smile at the Lord's sovereign control, even in chosing such a failing servant, and then pour myself back into that which He has given me to do. Imperfectly, yes, still useful to His service, I trust.