Hello, my name is…
Haven’t you been asked to accomplish a task that you are under qualified for? As a matter of fact this month I have been handed by God that specific task… Which is to surrender my all for the Kingdom of God, just as we ALL are called to do. At times that surrendering will lead me to talk to a random stranger, to touch the untouchable with help and aid, to go to a different place and leave behind all of my commodities, all leisure, all likes and desires, for the plans God has in store for me.My reaction: To Run as fast as possible from those plans… Tsk Tsk Tsk stubborn, disobedient and faithless Grecia. I could only picture God watching me run and saying to Himself, if my daughter would only trust me, let go of her life and follow My will.While running away from God’s plan, I thought of a great idea… To go to the movies in the middle of the week to simply avoid the truth of my calling, but even there God met me. As the scene of a woman surrendering her life to protect the damsel in distress flashed before me, God spoke,
“as she is, so you should be”. By that time, I’m thinking “Lord really ?! You speak even through the movie, don’t you see I’m running away to the belly of the whale”. Oh of course He saw, but His love for me is so deep that He continued to pursue until I had to stop running.
“as she is, so you should be”. By that time, I’m thinking “Lord really ?! You speak even through the movie, don’t you see I’m running away to the belly of the whale”. Oh of course He saw, but His love for me is so deep that He continued to pursue until I had to stop running.
In this process of questioning and doubting, God put before me the story of Mary (mother of Jesus). A woman who surrender it all to follow and accept God’s will and direction. Take a minute to imagine the following scene, if an angel where to appear before you right now and say “Hey, you will give birth to a child His name will be Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you have a husband or not. The Holy Spirit will give you this child.” Yikes, I would probably have
jumped backwards, looked at him funny and asked how, when, why, and who am I to be the one to carry the son of God? What will everyone think? Yet, Mary’s response was submissive and without much questioning she just asked, “how will it happen” and then she uttered these words,
jumped backwards, looked at him funny and asked how, when, why, and who am I to be the one to carry the son of God? What will everyone think? Yet, Mary’s response was submissive and without much questioning she just asked, “how will it happen” and then she uttered these words,
“ I am the Lord’s servant, let it be with me as you have said”. ( Luke 1:38)
Mary wasn’t chosen to bear the Savior of this world, because of economical position or because of her physical body. Instead she was chosen by her heart, willingness, humility, faith and most importantly her availability to be used. Just as J. Lee Grady expressed in his book, Intrepid Woman of the Bible, Mary engaged the message of her Son, she was willing to deny herself, carry the cross, and follow Him no matter where it would take her. After studying her, I felt as if I had been literally slapped in the face. God called me and I ran as fast as Jonah did instead of receiving it with open hands and a surrendered heart.“The Lord spoke his word to Jonah son of Amittai:“Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it, because I see the evil things they do.”But Jonah got up to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish. He went to the city of Joppa, where he found a ship that was going to the city of Tarshish. Jonah paid for the trip and went aboard, planning to go to Tarshish to run away from the Lord”. ( Jonah 1:1-3)Jonah fuzzed, whined, and even hated God’s plan to use him as a messenger to redeem the city of Ninevah.
Then Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding, Jonah came up with a horrible idea, to run away from God’s will and close his hands to receive the calling He was given. In the long run, God accomplished His will through Jonah after multiple and unnecessary trials; A a very uncomfortable and probably nauseating ride in that boat and spending 3 days and 3 nights in a disgusting, gastric juices, and krill filled belly of a whale…Then I wonder, why do we run like Jonah and disobey? Why not be willing like Mary and Isaiah and so many others who said YES to the Lord’s ways and plans. Why not sing and live the lyrics of Chris Tomlin’s song I will follow you:
Then Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding, Jonah came up with a horrible idea, to run away from God’s will and close his hands to receive the calling He was given. In the long run, God accomplished His will through Jonah after multiple and unnecessary trials; A a very uncomfortable and probably nauseating ride in that boat and spending 3 days and 3 nights in a disgusting, gastric juices, and krill filled belly of a whale…Then I wonder, why do we run like Jonah and disobey? Why not be willing like Mary and Isaiah and so many others who said YES to the Lord’s ways and plans. Why not sing and live the lyrics of Chris Tomlin’s song I will follow you:
Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I’ll love
How you serve, I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
Is it because we have a need for control and a desire to be able to chose what and what not to do for God?Is it because we think, it’s to much for us to handle?
Is it doubt and distrust of what God might do through us?
Friends, it doesn’t matter which of the above is your answer… God desires Surrender, Denial of self, Humility,Faith, Trust, Commitment, Consecration and Servanthood for Him. Not commodity, leisure, prosperity, and life without pain and molding.
- It doesn’t matter if you are incapable, He will make you able.
- It doesn’t matter if it means you will leave all comfort, to travel to the end of the world to be persecuted for sharing the gospel.
- Even if it means to go against what your family and friends believe in.
- Even it means to forget about that career you love, to become God’s voice, hands and feet on Earth and live by His daily provision.
- Even if it means, to step out of your comfort zone in your job, school or college to share your faith and to get dirty for those who are in need.
God longs to hear prayers of acceptance of His plans, like Isaiah’s “here I am, send me (Isaiah 6:8) and Mary’s,
I am the Lord’s servant, Let it be with me just as you have said( Luke 1:38)”.
- Knowing always, as a friend recently shared, God’s plans for us, out weight our capabilities and thoughts, we will not always have a full and complete understanding of His ways. For this very reason it requires
TRUST, FAITH & OBEDIENCE,
- to walk in the firm path that God has set before you. To fulfill His perfect plan brings peace and joy to our hearts, because we have the knowledge that we are accomplishing the Perfect Will of the Holy God, The Creator of the Universe, THE GREAT I AM, The One and Only God of the Universe. Save yourself the sweat of running away from His ways and trust that with Him by your side, nothing is to hard, impossible or to arduous. He will make you able if only you choose to open your hands and receive the calling and plan He has been longing to give you.
Application:
- Ask God to show you, if you are a Jonah or a Mary.
- Don’t run away from God’s will, but run toward it.
- Say a prayer of acceptance and surrender to God’s will, like Mary and Isaiah!
Heavenly Father, I ( Your name) am thankful for the many wonderful thoughts and plans You have for me. Forgive me for doubting, questioning, and not trusting Your ways. Today, I want to give my life as a living sacrifice and do Your will for I am your servant. Lord, send me wherever and use me as You desire. Let it be with me just as You have said. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Further Reading:
- Luke 1:46-49
- “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” (Prov. 29:18)
Blessing, Grecia S.