May I do this for you?
May I do this for you; may I encourage you for a few minutes? We live in a world that often seems to have for its express goal keeping us subdued, frustrated, and discouraged.
Voices all around us tell us we are helpless in the sea of time and life on this earth. The loudest and most critical voices are often those inside our own heads that criticize and point out failure at the speed of thought. And sometimes it seems that there is no one left who believes in us, expects any sort of greatness from us, or who has the time or inclination to give us a much needed word of encouragement.
So I ask again; may I do that for you?
May I remind you that you are created in the image of God, and as a human being hold one of the greatest positions in existence.
Let me also remind you that as a Christian you are a child of the Living God, a member of the Royal Family of Heaven itself, a Noble in the great Kingdom of God.
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the purchased possession of the Creator of all things. The price He paid for you on the cross is a direct expression of the value He places on you.
Let me also remind you that you are not just a “sinner saved by grace”, not just a servant of God, not just His great creation, but you are called His Child and Heir, His Partner in the work of the Kingdom, and you are called His Friend.
Do not let the belittling yells of the world and your own insecurities deceive you; you are important, and you are here on this planet for a purpose…His purpose.
You know what I am telling you is the truth.
You feel it in your soul when you think of a great big world that needs someone to touch it with compassion and show it the way to God.
You hear it in your heart when the voice of the Lord speaks quiet yet profound words during those rare times when you are still and listening.
You’ve tried to ignore it, tried to rationalize it and get on with “real life”. You’ve scolded yourself for letting your imagination run away with you. You’ve measured your dreams, hopes, and aspirations against the reality of your current station in life and found no logical reason to pursue them.
Logic tells you it’s time to grow up, get real, settle down, relax, settle for, be content with what you have, face the facts, be humble, modest, ordinary, mundane, obscure…and discouraged.
But you can’t.
You can’t quit.
You can’t settle, you can’t get rid of this maddening conviction that Almighty God has not only created you in His image, created you again in Christ, but has also called you to greatness. No matter how hard you try you can’t rid yourself of the nagging feeling that you, even you, are called to fulfill a great destiny this side of Heaven.
Dear friend, I have great news. You are not alone in your frustration, there are many others just like you. Neither is it the voice of your pride and arrogance telling you that you are “special”; it is the voice and calling of the Lord your God. Why, the very fact that you can’t get rid of it is an indication that it is the work of God in your spirit.
So I want to add my voice to His. I want to tell you that you are called, you are qualified, you are God’s chosen, you are the salt of the earth and light of the world.
You are intended of God to be not ordinary, but extraordinary. You have a God-given destiny, a purpose for being on the earth, and there is work for you to do that is of eternal importance and value.
Now the world at large may never know nor care that you were ever here.
But your world will know; and your world desperately needs you to be and do what the Lord created and called you to be and do.
If you can do that, if you can rise to the calling and work of Almighty God and become all He intends for you to be, then not only will your world know you were here, but so will the Gates of Hell.
And so will the Kingdom of God.
So how about it today?
Will you seek first the Kingdom of God? Will you fight the good fight? Will you stand as tall as you can, refuse to quit, give up, or back down? Will you find a way to make the greatest difference you can? Will you love the Lord your God with everything you’ve got? Will you refuse to live a second rate, watered down life? Will you turn your back on taking the easy way out and take instead the road less traveled? Will you distinguish yourself through honorable service to your Lord and King?
You must know that you are not alone in your quest. Your Heavenly Father has been involved with these plans for you from before the world began. Your Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you for more than just going to Heaven, and is leading you day by day. The Holy Spirit is strengthening, gifting, directing, and empowering you. And I am yet another voice adding my strength to yours.
You can do it you know; you can make a difference. You can be extraordinary through Christ who gives you strength.
So be optimistic today, God is able. Be stirred in the fires of your spirit and recommit yourself to the big “YES” instead of the little “no”.
Be encouraged my friend; be encouraged.
Thank you for the privilege of sharing these words with you.
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." ~Joshua 1:9
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13
