Saturday, August 8, 2015

what we were made for

Today's readings: Ezra 7:1-8:20, 1 Cor 4:1-21, Psalm 30:1-12, Prov 20:28-30

We meet the idea of doing what we're created for in today's reading.

Ezra is clearly doing what he was made for. It says repeatedly that he was able to do what he did because God was with him, that God's "hand was on him."

We are all called to do something. None of us is here by accident. God intends for us to do certain things with our lives... and none of us is called to do exactly the same thing. So this area (along with pretty much all of the other areas) of our life is where we should not compare ourselves to other people. We're not called to do THAT. We're called to find what He wants us to do, and do it with all of our strength.

What are you called to do? This question causes many people (most people? all people?) to scratch their heads at times. What does God want from me?? But He doesn't leave us to figure it out on our own. He gives us several tools to use in getting to the bottom of this mystery.

First, our desires. Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I wondered for many years... does that mean He will CAUSE me to desire certain things? Or that He will fulfill the desires that I have? The answer, of course, is both.

There are desires we have that are not from Him, of course. I desire to drink Mountain Dew all day long. I desire to own and drive a Ferrari Testarossa. I desire to date lots of different girls. I shouldn't do these things... because they're not good for me.

But He has given me good desires, too. I desire to write books. I desire to get married. I desire to help people. When I focus on these desires, my other more banal desires fall into place. I don't find myself indulging in selfishness and stupidity (as often).

What desires has He given you? How can you use those desires to help other people? To make the world a better place?

He also gives us the Bible, and prayer, and the examples of other people. While we shouldn't compare ourselves to them and wish we were like them, we CAN see how they implement their calling into their lives and be inspired to find our own calling.

God, thank You for calling us to do things, and for making life great when we find that calling and run with it.

1 comment:

Julie said...

Well stated, all through the Bible we are given example after example of individuals who are doing Gods will in there life and those how are not. Are the ones who are not doing His will in control of things around them? Yes in many cases they are. They maybe King, but the consequences are coming. God gives us all the choice to follow Him, He does not force us but if we continue down the path that does not lead to Him by our choice, as Doc Holliday said in Tombstone, "the day of reckoning is coming." Choose you this day who you will serve.