I love mysteries and suspense dramas! One of my favorite shows is the TV series “Monk.” I like this show because of the remarkable way the detective uses unapparent clues to solve a case (or maybe it’s because he reminds me of my own compulsive tendencies).
“Monk” is the story of an ex cop, Adrian Monk. Monk was once a highly decorated police officer with the city of San Francisco, when suddenly his wife died mysteriously in a car explosion. Monk, who already suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder and a long list of phobias, spiraled down into clinical depression. He could no longer perform his duties as a police officer, so he was suspended from the force pending his recovery. Meanwhile, he works as a homicide consultant for the San Francisco police department.
Although Monk undergoes therapy, his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias prevent him from being reinstated as a police detective. He is not able to get over his grief and the loss of his wife. Despite his weaknesses, Adrian Monk is outstanding at what he does. He is known as one of the best detectives in the country, with a track record of successful cases long enough to wrap around the state of California.
Two things appeal to me every time I watch the show:
One – Monk’s obsessive-compulsive disorder gives him an edge in solving complex cases. Because he pays extreme (and sometimes disturbing) attention to detail, he finds clues that are totally inconspicuous to other police detectives. His methods can be described as eccentric, but they always lead to the right conclusions.
Two – Monk wants nothing more than to avenge his wife’s death and to be reinstated to the police force. His gaze is so fixed on these two things that he fails to see his achievements as a police homicide consultant. One would say he has quite a successful career in spite of his psychological problems, and he should be content with that. Adrian Monk would disagree. He believes that he will only find contentment when his wife’s killer is brought to justice and when he is reinstated as a police officer.
There is, however, a surprise ending. (In case you’re planning to watch the series, I'm not going to spoil it for you by revealing much). Monk discovers that justice served for his deceased wife does not satisfy him. However, something totally unexpected happens to him that gives him a new perspective on life. He is able to accept his situation and move on.
Well, how does all this apply to us as Christians?
One – The Bible says that God “uses the weak things of this world to confound the wise” – 1 Corinthians 1:27. Monk is considered weak in the eyes of society, pretty much an oddball. But, it’s that same weakness that enables him to do what emotionally stable or “strong” detectives fail to accomplish.
The apostle Paul considered himself to be weak with a thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:6-8) and his overall appearance (2 Corinthians 10:1-11). However, God used him in such a mighty way to spread the Gospel and plant churches. Moses stuttered, but God used him to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. Gideon was underprivileged by virtue of his tribe-of-origin, but God also used him to deliver His people from the Midianites. Poor little Gideon was referred to as a “mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12). Time and space do not permit me to tell of Solomon, Jeremiah, and others who were used by God despite their frailties.
We are sometimes compelled to give excuses why we feel we cannot be used by God. An illness, a speech impediment, or a lack of resources often holds us back from serving God. On the contrary, God can use that same situation to do His will through us. That way, all the glory goes to Him and not us. All we have to do is surrender to His sovereignty and all-sufficiency, and then make ourselves available to Him as chosen vessels. We can never bear fruit by our own abilities; only by the power of Jesus (John 15:4-5).
Two – We set goals for ourselves, but God also has a divine purpose for each of our lives. Sometimes, our goals do not align with God’s aspirations for us. If we continue to pursue those goals that are contrary to God’s plan for us, we will find ourselves on the road to utter frustration.
God could be using us to do extraordinary things, but we’re bound to overlook them if our eyes are fixed on a desirable prize. An example is a woman who has a career ambition, but God wants her to stay home and raise her children. She may be doing a fantastic job as a stay-at-home mom, investing quality time in her children. However, she may feel under accomplished when she compares herself to women who work outside the home.
Wherever we find ourselves – at home, in the workplace, in ministry – God can use us effectively. No other position is more glorified than the one in which we find ourselves, as long as we are doing God’s will.
So, let us strive to live out our full potential for God, regardless of our weaknesses and personal goals. It is good to set goals, but we do well to remember that God may have something better for us.
If we accept God’s sovereignty in our lives and remain content in it, we will watch Him accomplish great things through us that will bless others (Daniel 11:32).
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
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