Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus." -Oswald Chambers
I've read several times now about hindering God by thinking we are of use, and now I wonder. I wonder what in the world Chambers means by this.
Chambers is not saying that we can't be of use to God if we think we are; no he is saying that we cause delay or obstruction. We cause obstruction because our sin gets in the way. I agree that there are many times we consciously think, "I am doing great things for God," out of our pride. We diminish the power of Christ and exalt ourselves. We think we are going to do all these great things and forget he is God alone. Yes, we hinder Him then; when our attitudes' our, "I will be of use to God".
But is it prideful to wonder how God might be using us? Do we hinder Him then? What about when we ask God to show us where he wants us? And what if it is evident how he is using us? Do we hinder Him then?
I often wonder, how in the world I am being used of God. I am not the president of some big club on campus (like most of my friends); I'm not even a part of any club on campus (like most of my friends)! I don't get very many opportunities, at least I think I don't, to witness to others. I have asked God many times about whether or not I am doing His will, because I don't see how I am "making disciples." But then Chambers says we hinder Him when think we are of use. And here I am, wondering if I am of use.
Whenever I have asked the Lord whether I am of use, he has told me I am where he wants me and that I am to be of use to him where he has me placed currently. One of the places I am placed is at a daycare taking care of two year olds. He told me, "love them as I would." I don't feel like I am doing much in regards to changing the world by taking care of two year olds, but that is where he has placed me and so I try to love them as he would.
Then there are the few times, where I can see how God is using me, or at least I think I can see and I think it is me he is using. Do I hinder him by recognizing if he is using me. Or is it just my pride? Just me thinking I am more important than I really am. Me thinking I made an influence when it was someone else. It's is probably the later most of the time. But still, still there are a few, very few, times when someone has mention how I influenced them. What about those times?
Chambers might say, I suppose, that my knowing came after the fact. Thus, the influence had already taken place without my knowing, so I cannot hinder something which has already occurred. Still, in those moments I think, "I was of use to God." Which is exactly what Chambers says hinders. The question is then, how literal do you take his statement?
* I wrote more on this matter in another post called Of Use To God? Cont.