Formed...Set apart...Appointed
We have a desire, a need, a craving, but it’s elusive. We can’t really say what it is that we want. It starts at a young age and we run around trying to find something to fill that gap, fill that hole, to check all the boxes.
Is it sports? Which sport?
Is it art? Which art form?
Is it people? Who? Do they like me? Am I cool enough?
Is it a place? Where?
Is it an educational degree? Which degree?
Is it a job? Which job?
Is it a house? Which house?
Is it a car or truck? WHICH ONE??!!!!
Money...it must be money. ARGGGGGG!!!!
But hold up, what if our desire and our seeking is the process of a beautiful discovery, a path to God. God planted a desire in our hearts to know him. If we quiet our chaotic rushing to check the boxes we can find him.
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in the early spring.
Hosea 6:3 NLT
If we stop trying to fill the cravings ourselves and direct our focus towards God we begin the journey of discovery and fulfillment. And we begin to understand that God purposed us.
God spoke so clearly to Jeremiah when he said:
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 NLT
Don’t we wish we were Jeremiah in the bible? That God would speak so clearly to us?
God DOES speak to us.
Everything written in the bible is for us too. We can hold onto these words that God spoke to Jeremiah. We can claim them as our word, a truth from God. He knew us before we were in our mother’s womb. Notice how it says “I formed you...” God formed us! He has set us apart and God has appointed us. How have we been formed, what does God have us set apart for, what has God appointed us to do? That is the mystery for us to discover.
The path starts and ends with God and he’s in the middle of it all too. Our first step in the quest is to know God. To trust in Him and to have faith in Him. How do we get to know him? Through reading the bible. This is how he speaks to us.
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
We learn more about him through prayer. Prayer is part of the mystery. It's a spiritual conversation with God. At first it can be hard to feel natural praying but He just wants us to talk to him like we do our best friend. When we are in a conversation with a friend we speak, ask questions, share, seek guidance and then LISTEN. Listening becomes easier the more we talk to God, the more we wait to hear from him. God can speak to us through music, scripture, conversations, a random phone call or a feeling of peace and clarity, of knowing what the next step should be. God can use anything and anyone to speak to us. After all, he is the creator of all things and he uses all things to connect with us if we are willing to seek him.
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:10 NLT
IF you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:6 NLT
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Revelation 3:20 NLT
Look at all the promises in the word of God! He is wanting a divine relationship with us and all we have to do is seek him! This is the epic quest and journey that we are all on. To know God the father, Jesus his son and our savior and the holy spirit! Once we start to grow in our relationship with God we can hear more clearly what he has planned for us. God visions and missions for our life.
For each and everyone of us...formed...set apart...appointed!
Let the adventure begin!
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