11/27/2020
We are called by the Lord, but once we hear His voice we must respond, begin our search for Him in earnest, and when we find Him we need to knock on His door and enter into a relationship with Him. Stop for a moment today and ask yourself where you are in your journey towards perfecting a relationship with God. Have you just begun the trek by hearing someone call your name in the night? Perhaps you have sought Him and come a little closer... or maybe you are walking through your life in intimate conversation with him. It is always good to take stock of our relationship and judge where we are, and what our next steps will be.
“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”Matthew 7:8 ESV
God has a plan for each of us, that has existed since before the foundation of the world, yet, although it is well conceived, and based on His deep and abiding love for us, He will not force Himself upon us... it must be our choice to respond, and to do this we must answer His call, accept His plan, and conform to His will. We conform by writing Him into our will. So, how do we respond to His voice?
“And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.””1 Samuel 3:8-10 ESV
Was it immediately clear to you when you were first called by the Lord that what you were hearing was God’s voice? Did you seek the origin of the voice you heard like Samuel did? Was it necessary for the Lord to call you multiple times before you finally responded, and did you do so on your own, or was there an Eli in your life who guided you in your response? However it was that you answered, and accepted the call, God entered into an everlasting conversation with you, and the journey towards your perfection began in earnest by the alignment of your will with His.
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”1 Samuel 3:19-21 ESV
Perfection is a strong word, and we are afraid of it because as we walk with God, and come to know Jesus, we begin to understand what true perfection really looks like, and it intimidates us to think that His will for us, which is meant to draw us towards that divine perfection could ever transform our will sufficiently. When we have first lived in the world, how can we even dream of achieving such perfection? Well, we do so by trusting in the promise that our minds will be renewed.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:2 ESV
After we hear the calling, and determine that it is God who is calling us, we should begin forming a personal plan that not only includes Him, but forms a relationship with Him, and establishes a reflection of His will. We can determine whether our plan is a true reflection of His by asking a very simple first question... does it begin with Jesus Christ? If this is true, then our renewal has begun.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for opening my eyes to your will, and revealing the first small traces of understanding to me so that my will can be grafted into yours, and begin to be conformed to appear as yours. Thank you Lord for this first step, which was taught by Christ, and brought to my understanding by your Holy Spirit. Continue to call my name Father, so that I can be successful in seeking you, and send a Saint, someone like was to Samuel, into my life to be my mentor in faith. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose will is perfect, and who has loved me from before the foundation of the earth. Praised be your name Lord for every good thing you have done in my life, and every blessing you have bestowed upon me. Hear my prayers as I reach out to you, and accept my confessions in humble contrition before you.. lift me up as I plead for your grace, and forgiveness. You are merciful towards me Abba, and I thank you for loving me enough that you would send Jesus to suffer, die, and be resurrected, so that I would be redeemed, and given eternal life. Judge me to be perfect through the blood of Christ, and seat me before you as your adoring child, rejoicing at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes