2 Corinthians 8:1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

The people of Macedonia were quite marginalized by economic hardship and personal struggles. However, despite their struggles, God did more through them than anyone could have ever imagined. How can God use people and flow through people in ways that are so far beyond their own capacity? I believe you can see some of the answers in Paul’s description of these great people.

How can we increase our capacity?

Don’t allow the trial you are in rob you from your trust in God. These people were tested, but they trusted God beyond their test.

Allow the joy of the Father to fill you even when life tries to empty you. The joy of the believer must be an ever filling process that we initiate with our Father.

Don’t allow what you cannot do to keep you from doing what you can do. The opportunities that God brings our way will always be greater than your own capacity. It is in the moment that we simply choose to do what we can that God empowers us to do things greater than ourselves.

Today’s Challenge: Ask the Lord to expand your capacity to be used by Him. What you cannot do is not a limitation to what God can do through you.

P.S. If you are in the Camden area, join us for our Wednesday night service at 6:30 where I will teach on this message and offer two more ways from scripture to increase your capacity for God’s work.