Count Me In
You ever sit back and think about how far you've come? I'm sure we all can look back on the course of our lives and see traces of God's hand, even before we knew Him. You know, the times when we were what I call, a hot mess express (now we're just a warm mess express lol). I think back to a time, not that man years ago, when I would alternate between enjoying communion with God and enjoying the festivities of the world. At that point, I wasn't aware of any type of ministry calling on my life. But I do recall times when I'd be out, having a worldly ole time, on every scene, attaining pretty much anything I wanted, favored by people and yet there would be this tiny part of me that was disinterested. Times I'd be smack dab in the middle of living what I thought was my best life, but then suddenly have this craving to go home and spend time with God. What I didn't understand then, I now understand that the Lord was moving my heart closer to His and further it from the world. A work that I could never take credit for. As years pasted, He'd personally develop me through life experiences and my time with Him. And well, here I am. Made new but still being developed through and through.
How about you?! What are some things God has brought you out of? How has He shaped you throughout the years? I hope that you'll spend time pondering the great lengths the Lord has brought you. While also considering that it wasn't for no reason. Sometimes our anticipated future causes us to forget great transformation that has taken place in us. We find ourselves in the middle of who we used to be and who we want to be. But may those cringy past experiences remind you of the faithfulness of God. That sometimes even you, yourself cannot keep you from the plans that God has over your life. He uses whom He pleases and unlike the world, He doesn't need our permission or validation to do so.
What areas have you disqualified yourself due to past circumstances? Where have you counted yourself out because you think you're not influential enough, bold enough, educated enough, talented enough, perfect enough, good enough, significant enough, etc?? Sister, allow me to free you.. The evidence is not in the external but the internal. It is not the tangible things that God builds on, but our character. We see this truth countless times in scripture, where the Lord develops the very people He chooses because He can work in their hearts. Rarely do we ever see those whom God used in the Bible, have it all together prior to being called. But one thing we do see that is consistent is imperfect beings with willing hearts. As a matter of fact, the Lord looks for one who He can build upon rather than one who builds upon themselves.
We see in His word where God rejects Saul, the first King of Israel, after his heart for God slowly diminished. Outwardly, King Saul was a handsome, strong, successful, mighty man who loved the Lord. Though, he did start off humbly being used in whatever capacity God called him; he eventually allowed the validation of his peers, pride, wealth and outward importances to rise above his heart for God. As a result, the Lord sought out a new king. But not just any king. Not even one who looked qualified in the eyes of man. But in the eyes of the Lord, Isreal's next king would be a man who was after God's own heart. A lowly teenage shepherd boy named David. Whom God chooses, vindicates, develops, prospers.
However, if left up to man, David would've never been considered. Even the Lord's own prophet Samuel, sought out a man who visibly seemed like they’d fit the position. When God sent his prophet to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his son's king; we see that God corrects Prophet Samuel's worldly view in 1 Samuel 16:6-7
6“When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord's anointed!”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Eventually, David would be anointed king by the prophet, Samuel and take the throne fifteen years after being anointed. But in this particular account of scripture, (1 Samuel 16), David was so disregarded, that his own father and brothers neglected to invite him to this meeting with Samuel in the first place. I'm sure they all assumed that he would not be God's pick for Israel's next king. Not until Samuel relayed that none of these seven sons of Jesse were God's chosen. When asked if Jesse if he had anymore sons, David was found in the back, tending to sheep. It was then, that the Lord vindicated David in front of the very ones who'd ruled him out. I wonder if David knew there was a calling on his life. Did he know that all those years of doing what seemed like insignificant, peasant work was really preparing him for something greater? I wonder if he'd come to terms with seclusion and life with sheep just being his way of life. Little did he know, God had greater plans and it was in that very season of taking care of sheep that God was developing his heart and character to rule to God's sheep!
How about us? Do we resolve that because our life doesn't look as significant as those on social media, that we're useless in greater works? It is so easy to conclude that our circumstances are “just our way of life” without considering how God may be using us right where we are. Or furthermore, how God may be using it to develop us. Perhaps He is trying to cultivate our heart and character where we are now so that in our next season, He'd find women of lasting character. Women who wouldn't compromise what He entrusts to us. Not just outward works, or circumstantial character but a true heart for God. The question is, will we cooperate with the leading of the Holy Spirit in cultivating our inward selves or will we focus on what appears to be?
Sis, no more counting yourself out based off the things of your past. Things that God has really used to shape you. No more measuring yourself up against the world's standards. And certainly no more seeking validation of the world. A world that cancels anyone who makes a visible mistake and then refuses to believe that change is possible. Let's have the assurance of Paul when he said, “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5). May our significance be found in Him!
The fact that you're even reading these God inspired words, is a clear indicator that He has plans for you. And when He brings those plans into full fruition, it won't be because of perfection, but a heart He can work in and a character that He can build upon. Wherever He is calling you, give Him your “yes”, today. He's already taken into account the reasons that you think are sufficient for Him to not use you. But guess what, He is still hasn't changed His mind. We serve a God Who can do anything with a willing heart! Like He took a shepherd boy and made him one of the greatest kings in all of the Bible. Like He took me from being all about the world to about my Father's business; oh the great things He can do with YOU!!
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ways.Your ways and thoughts are much higher than ours. Thank You for seeing us under the blood of Your Son and not as our mistakes. In Your faithfulness You pursue us and at times, we don't know why but we are grateful because it is in the pursuit that we are captivated and changed. Help us to remember just how far You've brought us and even as we acknowledge that we still have further to go, help us to appreciate where we are right now. Help us to learn what we can, in this current season we are in. Mold us, shape us and continue to develop us into women of great character and pure hearts. Let our confidence not be in that which is seen and fleeting, but in You. Our lives are significant because You've created us. Help us to see ourselves the way You do and trust the unknown plans You have for us. We give You our “Yes” today!
In Jesus's name, amen.
