The subject line in an email from Jenna Guizar stood out boldly: “Theological Editors.” I tapped the screen and skimmed the words. My heart racing, I read it again. Jenna was asking another writer and me to take on the responsibility of checking every devotion for Blessed is She for theological errors before publication. I wondered to the Lord: Is this something I can do? What if I miss something important?
I walked to my husband in the other room and asked him what he thought. My life had been eight years of childbearing and sleepless nights since I had last studied theology. Yet, my husband encouraged me to say yes. I still had my theological abilities and could do research when I was unsure of an answer.
I brought it back to the Lord. If I am supposed to do this, I will need Your help.
Like Saint Paul, I know I am inadequate to do the things the Lord has asked me to do, but “I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12).
In my writing and editing, I often feel like the blind leading the blind or a hypocrite trying to remove the splinter out of another’s eye (see Luke 6:39-42). I am only a weak human being, completely dependent on God’s grace to do these things well.
Sister, God often gives us tasks that we feel inadequate to accomplish. Perhaps it is a project for work, a school assignment, getting through tough nights with a teething baby, or simply making it through a long day. He allows us to face these challenges so that we can learn how much we truly need Him. We should not fear for He is continually pouring out His grace to assist us in our need. For “[i]ndeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).
[bctt tweet="We should not fear. // @susannacspencer" username="blessedisshe__"]
Susanna Spencer holds a master's in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is the Devotions Editor for Blessed is She. She is a freelance writer and editor and a teacher. She lives with her philosopher husband, three teen daughters, one pre-teen son, and a miracle baby girl in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She loves reading theology and novels, attending beautiful liturgies, cooking delicious food, and casually following baseball. She is the author of the Gospel Studies including Seek His Kingdom: A Meditation on Matthew , Listen to Him: A Meditation on Mark, Preach in His Name: A Meditation on Luke, and Abide in His Love: A Meditation on John. She was the contributing author and editor for our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. She was the Theological Editor of the Blessed Conversations Studies. Find out more about her here.
Here's what the sisterhood has to say:
