Used by God? - Part 1
By Mike Rule

What does it mean to be used by God? Many of us talk about it, but have we thought about what we are saying? Recently someone I greatly respect mentioned this and said in not so many words that he sees it as a sick teaching. Well, that got my mind going! I have been thinking about this for over a month now.

Which one of us would ever want to be used by someone else? Nobody likes the thought of being used by another, yet in Christian circles we tout being used by God as though it is the ultimate thing! Is that really true? Should we want to be used by Him?

I think what we mean is that we desire God to work in us and through us. We desire to participate with Him in His work. We want more than anything to see God display His life through us to the world around us. We want to radiate His love and life. But I don't think any one of us really wants to be USED by Him!

From another angle I have to ask the question; Does the concept of God using us line up with His character? Of course not! Being used implies that the one doing the using is self serving. It implies that He has an agenda that is more important than any thing or anyone. That alone totally contradicts what He so clearly stated to us on the cross. He loves US; we are His agenda. If we are the object of His love, then would He use the thing He loves for His own selfish gain?

Why is this significant to me? Because I think the whole idea of being used by Him can contribute to our false concept of who God really is. I think it can also contribute to conveying untruths to those who are being established in their faith. We may know what we mean by what we say, but that does not mean others do. We are to bear with one another and not cause another to stumble. This challenges me because of the depth of the Christian jargon and lingo that is embedded in me. I praise God that He loves us enough to work in us, through us, with us, and in spite of us, but He also loves us too much to ever USE us!