Bobby McCoy is from Oak Ridge, TN. He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible. He went on to complete his Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies in 2000 and his Master of Divinity degree in 2003. He is currently on the pastoral staff at Oak Ridge Baptist Church.

On January 13th 1999, Bobby sustained a spinal cord injury from an automobile accident just five months before graduating from graduate school and six months before his marriage. Through the events of that night, the Lord has given Bobby and his wife, Sarah, a unique ministry of testifying to the grace of God and being an encouragement to other Christians.

Bobby can be reached at bemccoy@comcast.net


You Have What You Need To Serve

by

Bobby McCoy

There is always a certain level of frustration when you attempt to complete a task, but are unable because you do not have the right tools for the job. As a student, I worked during the summer months on a vinyl-siding construction crew. On more than one occasion I recall getting ready to start the work for the day only to realize that some of the tools we needed were in the truck of a worker who had not arrived at the job site. In most instances, this co-worker would go to the next job site and deliver the materials, all the while, failing to leave the tools we needed to complete the job. We would try to plan ahead for this, but in many cases we failed. The boss and I would be forced to do the best we could with the tools we had until the worker arrived. This would often bring frustration and loss of valuable time all because we didn't have the tools we needed.

When I was growing up, my father had a rather large shed that was used for storage and a workshop. As is the case with most sheds, things would become disorganized. I remember my father going into the shed to get a tool or a part needed for a tool, only to return empty-handed or at a significant time later because he could not find the tool.

It is always frustrating to realize that you do not have what you need to complete a task. Sometimes the same thing happens spiritually. In an effort to serve God, you feel that you do not have what you need. This describes perfectly the way I felt after my automobile accident. As a result of my accident, I was paralyzed from the chest down. I went from being very independent physically to being completely dependent. As I began to undergo the different aspects of rehabilitation, I began to question how I could ever serve God with my life. In my mind, I was so devoted to Christ and eager to serve Him, but now I would not get the opportunity to serve Him the way I wanted. I had to realize that my service to Christ was not dependent upon the way I wanted to serve, but by the way God wanted me to serve Him. Most Christians want to serve God. They understand that the right response is surrender to God and serve Him especially in light of Romans 12:1:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,which

is your reasonable service."

Serving God is somewhat simple, unless God's plan of service is different from your idea of serving God. Then you begin to wonder if you have what you need to serve Him. Sometimes the frustrations come spiritually just like they do when you realize that you do not have a tool that you need to complete a specific task. The only difference is that you do have what you need to serve God. Moses is an example from the Old Testament of a person who thought he didn't have what he needed to adequately serve God. The story begins in Exodus 3 with Moses working for his father-in-law in the the desert. The Lord comes to Moses and reveals His plan of service to Moses. Here is a list of excuses Moses uses as a valid reason to not serve God:

"And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." God responds by saying, "And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."

It is so easy to focus on a handicap or disability and then decide to not serve God. You might have some sort of physical handicap that you allow to keep you from serving God. Perhaps you have a mental disability and because of it you fail to serve God with what He has given you. You have exactly what you need to serve God. God has not called you into a position of service only to let you fail. Through God, you can exactly do what He has called you to do. It is in the moment of weakness that God makes you strong. The Apostle Paul learned this principle through the difficulty he had with his "thorn in the flesh."

"And he (God) said unto me (Paul), My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

God has made you and allowed circumstances into your life that put you in a position to serve God. God has promised to be with you and make you strong in your weakness. Therefore, you have all the tools you need in order to serve God. You must not allow the lies of Satan to prohibit your service. When I learned this truth, I was able to effectively serve God. You can also effectively serve God once you understand you are properly equipped. No physical disability, learning disability, cancer, or any trial such as the death of a loved one is too difficult for God to use you. The key is that you must surrender what you have to the service of God. Once this takes place, God will be glorified and you can faithfully serve Him.

Perhaps you have no handicap or disability, but you find yourself using excuses that Moses used before God. Perhaps you lack the strength to be a Christian witness in front of co-workers who are unbelievers, you blame it on lacking the tool of discipline. Perhaps you seek to witness to that family member but the tool of the right time never becomes available. You must understand this principal to serve God. You have been placed on this earth to glorify God and serve Him; therefore you must seek for the opportunity and resist using excuses.

As Christians our responsibility is to serve God. You must not settle for a lifestyle of failing to serve God. Lives will be influenced and changed when you understand the importance of doing the will of God. Decide today to resist the temptation of making excuses and serve God with the tools He has given you.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

To read the full testimony of Bobby and Sarah please visit "When God doesn't say- rise up and walk."


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