Not in My Wheelhouse

Like most people, there are some things that I am good at and others not so much.  I seem to have a knack for math and seeing patterns and numbers.  As a result some topics in science and some computer applications come pretty quickly.  Other areas, I have a passable set of skills.  I think that I can write tolerably (after all you are reading this blog) and my while my home improvement skills may not be up to code, at least the roof is not falling down. Then there are other areas from where I am better to keep my distance.  I could give some examples, but I have a repair to finish.

Self reliance can be a wonderful thing.  We all have abilities that we can draw on and use to provide for ourselves and solve our problems.  However there are some things that are beyond what we can do.  The expression "in my wheelhouse" is used in baseball to refer to a pitch that a hitter likes to see.  The expression comes from the wheelhouse of a ship.  It refers to those things that are under your control.  Some things are there and others are beyond the controls at hand.

This is true in our walk with God.  We are given many gifts and talents and we are called to use these for the Glory of God.  And while working in God's name can demonstrate His love, the real work; the true transformation is never accomplished by our works, but through the His redeeming power.

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

There is a tough balance between trying to do it all under our own power and leading people to a place where Christ can do the heavy lifting.  There are many ministries that we can pull off.  There is much that we can do to relieve the suffering of others and express the love of God.  But, the loving grace needed to transform a life is outside our wheelhouse and inside that of Jesus Christ.