SERMON
“Adjusting to God…Adjusting in Life”
By Linda Kirk
Focus: God calls us not simply to adjust our lives to the circumstances around us, but to adjust our lives to His purposes. Like Abraham and Esther, we are called to trust God, overcome our fears, and respond to His prompting—even when we cannot see what lies ahead.
1. Following God's Call Requires Faith
Scriptures: Acts 7:2–5; Genesis 12:1–4; Hebrews 11:8–12
Abraham's journey demonstrates what it means to trust God without knowing the destination. At age 75, he left his familiar surroundings and followed God's promise to lead him to a new land.
He had no guarantees about what awaited him, but he trusted the One who was leading him.
Key lesson: Faith means trusting God's direction even when we cannot see the destination or understand the journey.
2. Adjust to God, Not Just to Life
Key reference: Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
"We adjust our lives to God so He can do through us what He wants to do."
We need to distinguish between adjusting to life's circumstances and adjusting to God's purposes. Through my experience of living with a physical disability, I learned to make practical adjustments. But God also prompted me to move beyond my perceived limitations.
After years of quietly wishing I could sing in church, I finally responded to God's prompting and became involved in DUMC’s music ministry.
Key lesson: Rather than allowing circumstances and limitations to define us, we must allow God to shape our lives according to His purposes. We don't have to do what others do; we need to do what God wants us to do.
3. Trust God's Timing and Overcome Fear
Scriptures: Hebrews 11:9–12; Esther 4:9–14
Abraham and Sarah had to trust God's promises despite their age and seemingly impossible circumstances. Their experience reminds us that God's timing is not necessarily our timing.
Esther faced a different challenge. She had an opportunity to save her people but was afraid to approach the king. Mordecai challenged her to consider whether she had been placed in her royal position "for such a time as this."
When I relate Esther's experience to our own fears and negative thoughts I wonder if we question oueselves: What if I fail? What if people reject me? What if I am not capable?
But what if we allowed faith rather than fear to determine our response?
Key lesson: Don't allow fear, negative thinking, or uncertainty to prevent you from responding to God's opportunities and prompting.
4. God Can Accomplish What We Think Is Impossible
Scriptures: Esther 4:14; Hebrews 11:8–12
Through my personal experience of singing with Sounds of Faith, playing bells, returning to part-time work, and speaking before the congregation, I have learned how God can lead us beyond what we believe is possible.
These steps required faith, not the absence of fear. I learned to trust that God was alongside me.
Key lesson: Our limitations do not have to determine what God can accomplish through us. When we trust Him and take the next step, He can open doors we never imagined.
The Three Overarching Spiritual Lessons
1. Faith requires adjustment. Be willing to move beyond familiar routines, expectations, and comfort zones when God calls.
2. Faith requires trust. Trust God's direction and timing, even when circumstances are uncertain and the outcome is unknown.
3. Faith requires action. Overcome fear, recognize God's opportunities, and take the next step, knowing He walks alongside you.
Conclusion:
Don't simply adjust your life to the circumstances around you; adjust your life to God's purposes for you. Trust His direction, overcome your fears, and take the next step of faith, knowing that God is walking alongside you.
What might God be asking you to adjust in your life so that He can accomplish something through you?
1. Following God's Call Requires Faith
Scriptures: Acts 7:2–5; Genesis 12:1–4; Hebrews 11:8–12
Abraham's journey demonstrates what it means to trust God without knowing the destination. At age 75, he left his familiar surroundings and followed God's promise to lead him to a new land.
He had no guarantees about what awaited him, but he trusted the One who was leading him.
Key lesson: Faith means trusting God's direction even when we cannot see the destination or understand the journey.
2. Adjust to God, Not Just to Life
Key reference: Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
"We adjust our lives to God so He can do through us what He wants to do."
We need to distinguish between adjusting to life's circumstances and adjusting to God's purposes. Through my experience of living with a physical disability, I learned to make practical adjustments. But God also prompted me to move beyond my perceived limitations.
After years of quietly wishing I could sing in church, I finally responded to God's prompting and became involved in DUMC’s music ministry.
Key lesson: Rather than allowing circumstances and limitations to define us, we must allow God to shape our lives according to His purposes. We don't have to do what others do; we need to do what God wants us to do.
3. Trust God's Timing and Overcome Fear
Scriptures: Hebrews 11:9–12; Esther 4:9–14
Abraham and Sarah had to trust God's promises despite their age and seemingly impossible circumstances. Their experience reminds us that God's timing is not necessarily our timing.
Esther faced a different challenge. She had an opportunity to save her people but was afraid to approach the king. Mordecai challenged her to consider whether she had been placed in her royal position "for such a time as this."
When I relate Esther's experience to our own fears and negative thoughts I wonder if we question oueselves: What if I fail? What if people reject me? What if I am not capable?
But what if we allowed faith rather than fear to determine our response?
Key lesson: Don't allow fear, negative thinking, or uncertainty to prevent you from responding to God's opportunities and prompting.
4. God Can Accomplish What We Think Is Impossible
Scriptures: Esther 4:14; Hebrews 11:8–12
Through my personal experience of singing with Sounds of Faith, playing bells, returning to part-time work, and speaking before the congregation, I have learned how God can lead us beyond what we believe is possible.
These steps required faith, not the absence of fear. I learned to trust that God was alongside me.
Key lesson: Our limitations do not have to determine what God can accomplish through us. When we trust Him and take the next step, He can open doors we never imagined.
The Three Overarching Spiritual Lessons
1. Faith requires adjustment. Be willing to move beyond familiar routines, expectations, and comfort zones when God calls.
2. Faith requires trust. Trust God's direction and timing, even when circumstances are uncertain and the outcome is unknown.
3. Faith requires action. Overcome fear, recognize God's opportunities, and take the next step, knowing He walks alongside you.
Conclusion:
Don't simply adjust your life to the circumstances around you; adjust your life to God's purposes for you. Trust His direction, overcome your fears, and take the next step of faith, knowing that God is walking alongside you.
What might God be asking you to adjust in your life so that He can accomplish something through you?