Someone Else Can Do It Better

By Jean Cheng

24 Oct


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Ephesians 3:2-12

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery, as I have just described it very shortly. If you read my word you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ. This that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel. I have been made the servant of that gospel by a gift of grace from God who gave it to me by his own power. I, who am less than the least of all the saints have been entrusted with this special grace, not only of proclaiming to the pagans the infinite treasure of Christ but also of explaining how the mystery is to be dispensed. Through all the ages, this has been kept hidden in God, the creator of everything. Why? So that the Sovereignties and Powers should learn only now, through the Church, how comprehensive God’s wisdom really is, exactly according to the plan which he had had from all eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is why we are bold enough to approach God in complete confidence, through our faith in him.

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Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’


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I have been entrusted with this special grace

St Paul is a man who was very focused on his mission. He was clear that his mission was to proclaim the Good News and bring salvation to those who did not know God. He never wasted any time but set forth on his mission. In almost every letter he writes in the bible, you can feel his passion, his clarity, his focus. Not once did he ever doubt his mission (at least based on what was recorded in the bible), not once did he consider himself “too small” or “not good enough” to carry out his mission. Some might think that it is because St Paul was ignorant of his weaknesses. I think, however, that St Paul was fully aware of his weaknesses for he begged the Lord to remove his weakness from him (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10). He also was aware that there were others who were possibly of better caliber than himself to carry out the mission (Ephesians 3: 8).

Yet, St Paul remained successful in his mission because he did not look to himself for answers, but he repeatedly trusted in the grace of God. Where he despised his weakness, he trusted that God would be most glorified in his weakness. Where he felt others were greater than him in holiness, he was the one who was nevertheless called to this mission, not them. I believe there is much I can learn from St Paul.

Unlike St Paul, I often waste too much time doubting my calling in various areas of life. Often I think to myself that someone else would be able to do my thesis-which-never-seems-to-end better than I. Sometimes, I think I am not “good enough” to love various people who are difficult to love. Well, maybe I am right. Regardless, just like how others might be more qualified than St Paul, it was St Paul who was chosen for the mission. Similarly, even if others might be able to love more or to write my thesis better than I, it is I who have been called to do this.

Will I continue to waste time doubting my calling, feeling more miserable in life through this process? Or will I learn from St Paul to be aware of my weaknesses (e.g., my lack of love on occasions etc) and still continue to trust in the power of God who will make up for what I lack?

(Today’s OXYGEN by Jean Cheng)


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Prayer: Lord, I want to be focused on what You have called me to in my life. I entrust all my doubts, fears, and inadequacies to You. I know that You can make up for what I lack. Help me to not let what I can’t do stop me from doing what I can. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you St Paul for your focus on Jesus and the mission He called you to. Please pray for me to be focused on Jesus and the mission He has called me to.