Using Your Feet

Using Your Feet

There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

I prayed a lot during our football games, along with many of the staff and players. Before the game, at halftime, after the game, and many times in between. Sometimes, at least silently, many of us prayed for a play to be successful, a field goal to be made or missed, a game to be won. And sometimes we were willing to help. It was important to pray, but we also had to do our part. I had to coach, and our players had to play—hard!

Of course, the Lord can do anything He sees fit, whether we’re helping or not. But that’s not how He intended our relationship with Him to be or our time on earth to be lived out, merely our asking Him for favors.

When He created you and me, He had a purpose in mind for us. Our lives were not intended to be inactive. God knew what the world would be like when we were born, and we are designed specifically to carry out His purposes for this particular time in history.

God has done this throughout history—not just with us—by using both willing and unwilling participants for His purposes. His preference is that we be willing, with the hope that we will use the gifts and abilities He gave us. The next time you think you might just sit back and rely on the Lord to find others to pick up the slack from your idleness, remember this African proverb: When you pray, use your feet.

Jabez prayed that God would enlarge his territory. He was ready to do whatever was needed. He was ready to use his feet. He was willing and ready to go where God sent him and to do what God set before him.

Pray often. Ask God for power, peace, direction, clarity, strength, and courage—and that’s just for starters. Then get ready to go, because He is going to throw you headfirst into the day.

Uncommon Key > Be like Jabez. Pray specifically and often. And when you pray, get ready to use your feet. He will get you involved.