God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.

Do God’s priorities take first place in your life? Most of us would say yes while secretly struggling with the idea that God can and would use us. It is humbling to think that the Creator of everything would be interested in using us. Especially when you consider all the flaws we have and the mistakes we have made. Our spiritual resume must not be very impressive to God. Maybe you would say, “I’m completely on empty. I have messed everything up and am too far gone for God to help me.” I want to talk to people who would say that their power tank is on low. God cares for you and wants to give you the power to keep going. No matter how much you messed up, God’s grace can work it out.

I love the imagery of God drawing a straight line with a crooked stick. Would you admit to being that crooked stick? Look, you don’t have to be perfect to receive and realize the gift of eternal life. And, you don’t need to be perfect to be used by God to draw a straight line. It’s called grace.

God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.

But, I have found that there are at least two ways to ensure God doesn’t use you.

#1 – FOCUS ON YOUR POWER

Are you operating in your own power? One way to be sure that you are operating in your own power is to have an absence of prayer in your life. For some reason, God loves us enough to talk with us despite our faults and failings. What God is doing takes priority over our power. David marveled that God would even think about man.

“When I look at Your heavens the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” Psalm 8:3-4

David spoke of the universe as God’s finger work. It was as easy for God to create the heavens as it is for a human being to make something with their fingers rather than by using the arms and whole body. It required so little effort. Genesis describes God creating the whole material universe with just a few words. What God is doing takes priority over our power.

God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick

#2 – FOCUS ON YOUR PLAN

What are you planning? Have you taken the time to ask God for direction? I am serious about this, have you taken the time to ask God for direction? Nothing truly great can take place apart from God. Here is one way to have a great year. Figure out what God wants you to do and do it. There is no better place to be than in the will of God and no worse place to be than outside of the will of God. What God is doing takes priority over our plans.

Now, you may be thinking, “Pastor you sure are making it seem like God is more important than me.” He is. Without Him, I AM nothing. Apart from Him, I can DO nothing. He is the beginning and He is the End. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good, and all-wise. Here is my suggestion, let’s go with His plan. Spurgeon said, “There is nothing little about God, and there is nothing great apart from Him.” All God’s powerful acts and His surpassing greatness call for praise. Psalm 150:2 says, “Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!”

I deal with a lot of people who blame God when things go wrong. But, here’s the deal. Don’t hold God accountable without giving Him authority. In order for God to draw a straight line, you will need let Him hold the stick. Are you architecting your own plans and then asking God to endorse them? Don’t expect the God of the universe to bless your mess without changing the plan to fit His design.

Don’t miss out on His masterpiece by making your own way and working in your own power. Don’t ever question that God is at work. He is at work all around us, and He is at work in your life. What God is doing takes priority over your power and your plans. How can you give God control of your plans today? How can you allow God’s power to sustain you today?

God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.