By Cherry Smith

As a writer, I lost my direction when I focused on my perceived weaknesses instead of God’s promises. He equipped me to complete the good work we started. I had successfully completed all of my doctoral courses, writing 10,000-20,000 words a week during a season when my business was booming and I was caring for my mother.

Then the cares of my life, health issues, financial worries, relational circumstances, and selfish desires redirected my attention from God and His faithfulness in equipping me to complete my dissertation to focusing on my insecurities. Other things became distractions: a clean house, time with friends, television, and, ultimately, guilt followed. I had not trusted God to see me through the challenges of earning a doctorate.

 A visiting pastor told the story of Samson and suggested that we could trust in God one more time to complete an assignment he had designed and equipped to do.

Judges 13:24-25

Then Samson strayed from the path and disobeyed the laws of his people, deceived his parents, sought revenge, and put the people of Judah in danger.

 When Samson used his supernatural strength and abilities to honor and glorify God, he defeated 1,000 Philistines and became the leader of Israel for 20 years. When he cried out in thirst, God gave him water.

Then his focus changed. He wanted Delilah, who the Philistines used to uncover the secret of his strength. They captured Samson, tortured and blinded him. One day, the Philistines called for Samson to entertain them while they feasted.

Samson asked the young man who led him into the arena to tie him between two pillars of the temple.  One more time, Samson exercised his faith and trust in God to deliver his people from the Philistines.

Judges 16:28-30

And Samson called unto the Lord  and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee and strengthen me, I pray thee only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines…So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. 

Samson had faith one more time to honor and glorify God by completing the assignment God equipped him to do. Let us also pray that we use our God-given gifts and talents to complete the assignments he gave us to do.