I was gawking, but I couldn’t help myself. Painted over a century ago, van Gogh’s Sunflowers lit up the museum wall in front of me. I wondered at how such a broken man could create an image brimming with beauty. Vincent suffered from mental disorders, financial difficulty, and other challenges. Yet, he produced almost 900 paintings within 10 years.
Like van Gogh, the apostle Paul endured significant lifelong struggles—but his career for Christ flourished. At one point, he wrote, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure” (2 Cor 1:8). In other words, he was pretty sure the end was near,
but something kept him going.
What was Paul’s secret? He spelled it out for us when he wrote, “We . . . learned to rely only on God” (v.9). Most of us would be fine with that statement, except for one word: only. A successful life in Christ requires all of God’s wisdom, all of His love, all of His enabling power, all of His protection—not our own.
Relying only on God helps us develop confidence in Him. Paul had a bit of a spiritual swagger, but it was because of his firsthand experience with the Almighty. He announced, “We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us” (v.10). Paul was free to go on ministering because he was not pinned down by despair or frozen by fear.
My point is this: We can be productive for Christ as we deal with strain and struggles. Jesus was not naive when He said, “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit” (John 15:16). He knew life on earth was messy. He also knew that trusting in God alone would produce the confidence necessary to go on lighting up the world around us, just as van Gogh’s sunflowers still shine brightly today.
More:
Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).
Next:
How have you allowed struggles to prevent you from bearing fruit for God? How will your life in Jesus look different as you rely only on Him?
Keneld on April 29, 2009 at 5:54 am
I need to learn the ” only ” part……Please pray for me that I will learn to depend on God only……Thanks, as usual you have let God use you in a mighty way
jennifer benson schuldt on April 29, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I need help with the “only” part too! 🙂 I pray that the Lord will fill you with unfailing confidence in Him so that you too can say, “I’ve learned to rely only on God.”
Corryn on April 29, 2009 at 8:52 am
What a timely message…my husband is facing a biopsy tomorrow for a possible spread or new site of cancer. Today a neurosurgeon evaluates him for possible surgery for cervical spine issues that have the right side of his body swollen and almost immobile. I just read this devotional to Him and we once again are in awe of God’s power. We absolutely KNOW He is our only Hope, Source of strength, and Healer. He has given us strength and love all through this health struggle, and your words are one more comfort. And then He gave us sunflowers! And He uses us, however fragile, to accomplish His work, if we are aware that we are vessels only…our prayer for this struggle is that God be glorified! I really believe that throught that we are comforted and experience peace. We know He is still in control.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 29, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Yes, He is in control. What’s more–we have the assurance of His presence when we go through trials. In Isaiah 43:2 He promises: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” I pray that you will experience a new sense of God’s nearness and His sustaining strength as you go through these deep waters.
tclark94 on April 29, 2009 at 9:03 am
What encouraging words! The Holy Spirit had this ready for me to read today.
I have recently been struggling with finances as my husband hours have been cut at work. Our mortgage payment is due tomorrow and I can’t make it.
But, He will provide and give me the strength needed to get through this.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 29, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about this–many of us are struggling with this same burden. As the Lord works in your situation, it’s comforting to remember David’s words: “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” May the Lord guide you and strengthen you during this difficult time.
Mark L on April 29, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I am confounded by my neighbors; they are really fine people who would not give a second thought about helping me or someone else in any way possible. He works at a State Prison where he is confronted daily with the evil that resides there, yet he brings none of it home. He shows patience and calmness when in confrontations with some neighbors who race through the neighborhood and run the stop sign. She is into wellness through natural and homeopathic means. She works on others mending their daily physical needs.
Yet as good as my friends are they have no relationship with Jesus and although he will debate Jesus, he wants proof. I suspect he has a hunger to learn more, but being raised in Catholicism he feels his good works will win him the prize at the end of life. She is agnostic even though I point out that everything she uses to help others was put on the earth for His children to use to stay healthy. I ask how she can deny the existence of God. “I just don’t believe” she replies. “I am here today and gone tomorrow”, she says.
Now this grieves me deeply how these fine people and I am sure the world is full of fine people, are missing out on so much because they fail to take that simple step of faith and trust Jesus in their lives. I know there is nothing I can do other then keep praying for them and continue to plant seeds; it is by Gods Grace that men are drawn to repentance.
dianalovesjesus2 on April 29, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Amen to that!! “I know there is nothing I can do other than keep praying for them and continue to plant seeds; it is by Gods Grace that men are drawn to repentance.” !! It was worth repeating! It is by God’s grace that men are drawn to repentance!!
gingerbreadsister55 on April 29, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I found the conversation wonderful and interesting that today is about brokeness and challenging sufferings and the beauty still possible. It is also divine order that the conversation would speak on Correctional institutes as there are broken and suffering people waiting.
Jennifer noted a scripture to rely on God, there is also a scripture that tells us to be “slow to speak and quick to listen. “(James 1: 19) We as Christians are required to do MORE the just pray. Jennifer eloquently noted John 15:16.
We have an opportunity to “produce lasting fruit” and lead our neighbors and others (imprisoned) to Christ as a do-er of the word, not a debater of the word. Yes there are times to defend the word, but I have brought more friends and family to Christ through prayer and do-ing (to serve others)
You can do more than just pray for your neighbors, pray with them!, volunteer to serve/ share with your neighbors and those in the prison. I believe that “the evil” that resides in the world is NOT stronger than “good” of the Lord that resides in us. (1John 4:4)
There are many men and women who hunger for the word of God both in and out of State Institutions. We are all here to do God’s will, whether we believe in Him or not.
Your concern for your neighbors is very sincere, but your “confounding” seems to say “Lord what are you asking me to do in your will.”
Jennifer’s point is well spoken. “Be productive for Christ.” Make your words count through your actions. Then maybe your neighbors will learn to know for themselves the personal power of Christ.
I pray that the “bold confidence” you have in your heart and the “good works” of your neighbors gives you and them a common ground to “quietly” explain and share God’s purpose for bringing you together. In Jesus’ name amen.
dede on May 5, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I am coming late to this party, but this post made me sit and pray and then register.
What a blessing.
I have been learning so many things along these lines. I am supposed to work in South American this summer and have been feeling woefully incompetent and just the other morning after praying about it the Lord kept saying to me “your competency is from me” and I have been camping at 2 Corin ever since. What a beautiful reminder, thank you
raptureready on November 24, 2009 at 6:28 am
As a Christian counselor I repeatedly hear “How can God use me? I’m a depressed mess!” My response is to give them examples of who God used in the Bible to advance His kingdom: Moses who definitely had some anger issues, David who seemed to be up and down in his moods and actions, Peter who was Mr. Impulsiviness and Paul who had decided (before he “saw” the light, was a self-appointed judge, juror and executioner.
If God uses these imperfect people why can’t He use you.
There is no one better to talk to a person in the depths of depression than someone who has been there.
I try to convey this one fact: God will use you no matter what mental health issue you have because that is the way He has chosen. Just let yourself be used by Him and He will work out the details.