Shoes too Big to Fill

Have you ever felt like the mountain you are standing in front of is too big to climb? The task before you is beyond you? The calling and vision you have for your life too overwhelming that it’s almost hilarious?

If that’s you, then you’ve got to know that you’re in the right place for God to show up and show off his greatness through you. His power is magnified most through the things we cannot do. I’ve been feeling this very much over the last couple of weeks. Waking and walking with this constant burst of anxiety I feel in my chest. Taking deep breaths I feel like uttering those magical words from Aamir Khan’s Three Idiots “Aaaall is well”.

The things that I feel the Lord is calling me personally and us as a community are too overwhelming at times. It’s easy for us to think in the midst of all the planning, thinking, strategizing that we’re going to have to go at it alone. But in the midst of all the anxiety and uncertainty we must never forget Jesus’ last words recorded in the Gospel of Mathew as he commissions his disciples to Go and tell the world the good news and teach them to obey. He says, “I will be with you till the end of the age”.

The God-factor, if you will, is the one thing that fills in all the blanks. The answer to the question of How, When, Where. To Moses’ question, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt”, betraying his sense of being overwhelmed, God replies, “I will be with you…” (Exodus 3:12).

In fact, one can see this as a pattern through out God’s dealings with people. Instead of offering them motivation, or a glib “You can do it!”, he doesn’t argue with their sense of inadequacy. He just assures them of his presence. And that’s true of today for us. In the face of great challenges, God says, “I am with you.”.

Yesterday, JJ tried to put his feet into my shoes and tried walking with them. One and half year old that he is, he didn’t have the balance to do it on his own. Smiling slyly, he tried again. I couldn’t help but thinking two things – He’s going to follow in my steps. So I need to lead well. But secondly, he can’t do it on his own. Caleb and Jan quickly came to his aide and helped him put those shoes on. Shoes too big to fill. But with help, he did it.

And that’s the way Jesus offers to lead us. In Matthew 11:29, he says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in Spirit”. That’s what he’s saying, “I am with you, Let’s walk together and I will teach you every step of the way.”

This week as we face overwhelming odds, let’s remember and be conscious of his presence leading, teaching, guiding and opening doors and pathways for us that we could not do on our own.