I was asking the Lord today what he was calling me to do. Today I read Hebrews chapters 5+6 and it was such a good reminder for me and I wanted to share a word of encouragement for you today.
Sometimes I overcomplicate matters in my mind. Sometimes I like to attach my own selfish desires to my own personal interpretation of scripture. Or I’ll take something so pure and taint it by putting my own spin on it- for instance… The Lord gave me this very pure message on kindness years ago and told me to write a book. I did. My flesh also got in the way though. How, you wonder? Ha ha. One moment I went from needing to get the words out and be obedient to the Lord; and the next moment was… “How can I be New York Times BEST seller for children?”
Aren’t you glad for his grace and mercy today? Sometimes we can get in the way of what God is wanting to do in us and through us, not for our glory, but for his! Sometimes we can’t see the bigger picture or know to what extent exactly the Lord is truly using us when we say, “Okay Papa, I’ll listen. Use me! However, that is supposed to look like- okay!” Today as I was reading Hebrews, several things really popped off the pages for me, and I knew I needed to share. I started off in Hebrews 5:4 (NLT) where it says,
“And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.”
So, I proceeded to say, “God? What are you calling me to do? What does that look like?” Because years ago if I’m being honest, I thought I knew- I thought I was so sure about everything and honestly the older I get the more I realize that I don’t know anything about anything sometimes ha ha. I felt the Holy Spirit say to me in that moment, “You are my instrument.” This is something that God has shared with me multiple times in my life. I started to inquire more and ask, “Well Lord, what does that mean exactly?” I kept reading only to be greatly humbled. Verse 7-8 in chapter 5 says,
“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Those two words: prayer and obedience, hit me hard.
My sister told me this morning that the Lord often calls us to humble positions. Moses was a great leader, but he also walked around the desert for forty years. He calls us to serve, to wash feet. Mary and Martha were doing housework, and hosting. They were cooking, cleaning and being of service. It all matters though. Guys it all matters! I had another friend tell me to not look to the next 12 steps for the future- but to take one step at a time. Pray through each step. Remain in the present and trust God for the rest. There’s wisdom in having such a prayer strategy.
Simple things. Humble things. Skip to verse 11 in Hebrews 5 with me.
Vs 11
“There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.”-
Hebrews 6: 10-12 says,
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers,[b] as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”
Here's what I got out of this today. It’s simple. Prayer. Obedience. Caring and loving others. I don’t know about you, but I want such a deep reverence for God like Jesus did when He prayed. I want God to turn his ear towards me. Not because of what I want selfishly or what I would want God to do for me selfishly. But because I want to be close to him. Closer to him like never before. It’s not about titles. It’s not about the stuff. It’s not about money. It’s about the lost and the hurting. Jesus didn’t come for the healthy. That is what the Lord cares about. He cares that His people know him. Time is short. Are we about the father’s business? Do we know his heart? There is nothing more satisfying than knowing I did a good job- not needing the recognition- not needing money or anything else for that matter- but just knowing that I was obedient- that I did my best. I want to be pleasing to the father. I want him to have the glory.
Sometimes we must ask ourselves, because after all we have one life to live. Did I waste my talents and squander everything? Was I humble and obedient with what he gave me in this beautiful life? This blessed life. Let me just say that it’s not a bad thing to have dreams- to want things. He can do far more than we could ever think or imagine when we choose to just say- okay Lord I’ll listen. Our prayers are powerful. Don’t underestimate that. He’s calling us to be strategic in prayer. To wield our swords with fierce strength and endurance. We are not meant to be clumsy holding our sword (the word of God)- we are meant to know his word. His heart. His words have the power to create and tear down. He has given us power and authority as his children. He loves us so much.
There is power in simplicity. There is meaning and purpose in life and it’s found by being obedient to the Lord. You don’t have to look far- just seek the heart of the Father, he is faithful. He is true. He is close. His plans for you are great. He’s not done writing your story. Let him write it for you. Do life with him not without him.
I am thankful for so much. Thank you, Jesus. It’s simple. Prayer. Obedience. Caring and loving others. Lord shape me. Mold me. Use me.
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