What is the name God is calling you that you're afraid to step into? What is God call you that He placed in you that you don't see yet?
I've had those two questions running through my head for a few weeks. I started reflecting on them after reading the story of Gideon in Judges 6 & 7. Gideon's story isn't a long run in Scripture, but it has some powerful lessons for us.
Judges 6:1-16 is the passage I was reading when these questions formed in my mind. I'm only going to include a couple of verses here, but you can read the passage in its entirety here if you want.
"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said: The Lord is with you mighty warrior." (Judges 6:12)
After stating how he didn't see how God was with Israel (Judges 6:13), Gideon protests the name Mighty Warrior.
"Pardon me, my Lord, Gideon replied, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family." (Judges 6:15)
Not only could Gideon not see how God was with His people, he didn't believe what God had to say about him with the name God used.
Granted, from a human perspective, Gideon was right. His human perspective couldn't see God and definitely wouldn't see his hiding in a winepress as being a mighty warrior. I suspect we'd all feel the same way in a similar situation.
But, God isn't limited by our human perspective. He sees beyond it. He sees what He has placed in us.
In the moment when he was first called a mighty warrior, Gideon didn't look it or feel it, but God knew that was what he was going to become. So God called Gideon a mighty warrior - He called out what He knew was in Gideon and called Gideon to step into it.
I think God does the same thing with us. He uses the people He places around us to call us to step into what He has for us.
We may not see in ourselves what someone is calling out in us. We might protest what we hear and have our own list of reasons why we're not the person that is being called out in us.
The question is whether we'll respond or not. Gideon protested and asked for proof it was God, but eventually stepped into the name he was called. And Gideon is no remembered in Scripture as a mighty warrior.
What about us?
Will we respond by stepping it it, even if we're not sure yet?
Or will we run from it, because we're not sure yet?
Like Gideon, our choice determines the life we'll live and how we will be remembered.
Showing posts with label chosen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chosen. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Monday, July 28, 2014
He Delights in Us
"He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me."
(Psalm 18:19)
God delights in me and He delights in you!
Have you ever stopped and thought about that truth?
Have you ever allowed it to really sink in?
God delights in you! That is why He rescued you from your sin. That is why He listens to your prayers and answers you calls for help. He delights in you!
David wrote Psalm 18 when he was recued from his enemies by God. He was praising God for delivering him - for hearing his cries for help and rescuing him.
David had been running from his enemies. Hiding in caves. And now God has stepped in and brought an end to all of that. David's response is to turn to God in praise for all He has done. In the middle of that praise, David declares this incredible truth:
"He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me."
Scripture is full of references to God's love for us. We are often reminded that God loves us the way a parents loves a child. 1 John 3:1 says,
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God. And that
is what we are."
When I read that verse, I can't help but think about the response of parents to their children - of my sister and brother-in-law to their new daughter. As a parents watches a child they love do something and spends time with their child, they delight in them.
This is the picture that comes to mind as I read David's word in Psalm 18 about God rescuing him because God delighted in him.
And we follow the same God. The same God Who loves His children lavishly. The same God Who rescues us because He delights in us.
God delights in you!
He rescued me because He delighted in me."
(Psalm 18:19)
God delights in me and He delights in you!
Have you ever stopped and thought about that truth?
Have you ever allowed it to really sink in?
God delights in you! That is why He rescued you from your sin. That is why He listens to your prayers and answers you calls for help. He delights in you!
David wrote Psalm 18 when he was recued from his enemies by God. He was praising God for delivering him - for hearing his cries for help and rescuing him.
David had been running from his enemies. Hiding in caves. And now God has stepped in and brought an end to all of that. David's response is to turn to God in praise for all He has done. In the middle of that praise, David declares this incredible truth:
"He brought me out into a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me."
Scripture is full of references to God's love for us. We are often reminded that God loves us the way a parents loves a child. 1 John 3:1 says,
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God. And that
is what we are."
When I read that verse, I can't help but think about the response of parents to their children - of my sister and brother-in-law to their new daughter. As a parents watches a child they love do something and spends time with their child, they delight in them.
This is the picture that comes to mind as I read David's word in Psalm 18 about God rescuing him because God delighted in him.
And we follow the same God. The same God Who loves His children lavishly. The same God Who rescues us because He delights in us.
God delights in you!
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Looking at the Heart
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'." (1 Samuel 16:7)
This is an often quoted and spoken of verse. At least the part about God looking at the heart rather than the outward appearances is quoted.
We often use this verse when we talk about not basing our assessments of a person's character based on how they look when we first meet them. We use it to remind ourselves of the importance of not judging people based on appearances.
But, when I look at the context of this verse, I wonder if there's more to it than that. Samuel had been sent to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the next king of Israel. The words in 1 Samuel 16:7 are God's response to Samuel when he sees the oldest son and thinks he is the person to be the next king based on his appearance. God makes it clear that He is using very different criteria to choose the next king than Samuel was using.
I wonder if this verse also speaks to our judging of people based on what we see when they are asked to do something by God. Or maybe if we use it to judge ourselves when God asks us to do something.
When God looks at us, He sees His child and He sees us as people capable of doing what He asks us to when we are depending on Him.
We look at ourselves or others and see all the reasons why we can't or shouldn't do it. We judge ourselves based on our outward appearance. Or we judge others as being able to do it based on their appearances.
But, we would do well to remember that God isn't looking at our outward appearance when He asks us to do something. He is looking at our heart, and if we have a heart that is soft and available for Him, then He sees us as the one to do what He is asking us to do.
This is an often quoted and spoken of verse. At least the part about God looking at the heart rather than the outward appearances is quoted.
We often use this verse when we talk about not basing our assessments of a person's character based on how they look when we first meet them. We use it to remind ourselves of the importance of not judging people based on appearances.
But, when I look at the context of this verse, I wonder if there's more to it than that. Samuel had been sent to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the next king of Israel. The words in 1 Samuel 16:7 are God's response to Samuel when he sees the oldest son and thinks he is the person to be the next king based on his appearance. God makes it clear that He is using very different criteria to choose the next king than Samuel was using.
I wonder if this verse also speaks to our judging of people based on what we see when they are asked to do something by God. Or maybe if we use it to judge ourselves when God asks us to do something.
When God looks at us, He sees His child and He sees us as people capable of doing what He asks us to when we are depending on Him.
We look at ourselves or others and see all the reasons why we can't or shouldn't do it. We judge ourselves based on our outward appearance. Or we judge others as being able to do it based on their appearances.
But, we would do well to remember that God isn't looking at our outward appearance when He asks us to do something. He is looking at our heart, and if we have a heart that is soft and available for Him, then He sees us as the one to do what He is asking us to do.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Chosen
Chosen by God
A place to belong
A place I'll always be welcome
A part of God's family
The world tells us we don't belong
The world tells us we have to conform
We have to fit their standards
We'll be alone if we don't
But God says He has chosen us
He has made us part of His family
We will always belong there
We don't have to be alone
Chosen by God
A place to belong
A place we'll always be welcome
A part of God's family
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Chosen by God
"But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham My friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are My servant',
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:8-10
These words were first written by the prophet Isaiah to Israel when they had wandered from God. God was reminding Israel, through the prophet Isaiah, of how much He loved them and how He had chosen them.
Israel was Chosen by God
Over and over in these verses, God reminds Israel that He has chosen them. Chosen them instead of any other group of people on earth. Israel was chosen as God's people. They were God's servants - chosen to do His will.
And because they were chosen by God, they had no reason to fear anything that would come their way. God would be with them. God would help them. God would uphold them.
This isn't the only place in Isaiah that has these words to say. It's a theme that is repeated over and over.
"But now, this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, Jacob,
He who formed you, Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honoured in My sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:1-4
God is the One Who created every person in Israel - His chosen people. He called each of them by name. They would have no reason to fear what came their way because God was with them. He loved them to the point that He would give up other nations to redeem them.
We Are Chosen by God
These words to Israel through the prophet Isaiah can be spoken to us as well.
God has also chosen us. He has not rejected us.
He leaves us with no reason to fear.
God will strengthen us for what comes our way.
God will help us if we are willing to let Him.
God will uphold us in the midst of anything.
God will walk with us through every challenge or hard time that comes our way.
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham My friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are My servant',
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:8-10
These words were first written by the prophet Isaiah to Israel when they had wandered from God. God was reminding Israel, through the prophet Isaiah, of how much He loved them and how He had chosen them.
Israel was Chosen by God
Over and over in these verses, God reminds Israel that He has chosen them. Chosen them instead of any other group of people on earth. Israel was chosen as God's people. They were God's servants - chosen to do His will.
And because they were chosen by God, they had no reason to fear anything that would come their way. God would be with them. God would help them. God would uphold them.
This isn't the only place in Isaiah that has these words to say. It's a theme that is repeated over and over.
"But now, this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, Jacob,
He who formed you, Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honoured in My sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:1-4
God is the One Who created every person in Israel - His chosen people. He called each of them by name. They would have no reason to fear what came their way because God was with them. He loved them to the point that He would give up other nations to redeem them.
We Are Chosen by God
These words to Israel through the prophet Isaiah can be spoken to us as well.
God has also chosen us. He has not rejected us.
He leaves us with no reason to fear.
God will strengthen us for what comes our way.
God will help us if we are willing to let Him.
God will uphold us in the midst of anything.
God will walk with us through every challenge or hard time that comes our way.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Last
It's that time again. Joining in with Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. Five minutes of writing on a given word. No overthinking or major editing. Just sharing what comes in those five minutes of writing. This week's word is "last."
It was that time again.
Her least favourite time of all.
They were picking teams for kickball on the playground.
"Please don't let me be the last one picked again." She prayed silently. No one wants to be the last one left.
She was always the last one chosen. And it always made her feel like she wasn't valued. Like nobody cared if she was there or not.
She was waiting for the team captains to choose who they wanted. The number of people standing with her slowly dwindled. Until that dreaded moment . . .
Only two people were left. Her and another girl. Neither of them wanted to be the last one left. Being the last one left means you weren't really chosen. The team you ended up on was really just stuck with you.
Like usual she was the last one left. Everyone else was chosen. She was just the last person left behind that one team got stuck with.
Later that day as she was walking home, she was down about always being the last one left. Maybe she just wouldn't even try to play next time they were picking teams. It might be easier to just avoid that situation altogether.
But as she walked, she heard a voice speak inside her heart. "They may not have chosen you. But I did."
She knew that all from Sunday school. She had heard it all before. But this was the first time it was personal. The first time she knew it was being said to her.
God was speaking to her. God was bringing healing to her heart. In His world, she wasn't last. In His eyes, she wasn't the last one loved or chosen. He wasn't stuck with her. He chose her first. That was a game-changer.
It was that time again.
Her least favourite time of all.
They were picking teams for kickball on the playground.
"Please don't let me be the last one picked again." She prayed silently. No one wants to be the last one left.
She was always the last one chosen. And it always made her feel like she wasn't valued. Like nobody cared if she was there or not.
She was waiting for the team captains to choose who they wanted. The number of people standing with her slowly dwindled. Until that dreaded moment . . .
Only two people were left. Her and another girl. Neither of them wanted to be the last one left. Being the last one left means you weren't really chosen. The team you ended up on was really just stuck with you.
Like usual she was the last one left. Everyone else was chosen. She was just the last person left behind that one team got stuck with.
Later that day as she was walking home, she was down about always being the last one left. Maybe she just wouldn't even try to play next time they were picking teams. It might be easier to just avoid that situation altogether.
But as she walked, she heard a voice speak inside her heart. "They may not have chosen you. But I did."She knew that all from Sunday school. She had heard it all before. But this was the first time it was personal. The first time she knew it was being said to her.
God was speaking to her. God was bringing healing to her heart. In His world, she wasn't last. In His eyes, she wasn't the last one loved or chosen. He wasn't stuck with her. He chose her first. That was a game-changer.
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