Tuesday, January 18, 2011

So That . . .

Our Pastor talked this week about answering the question so that for ourselves.

He talked about how God gave the Israelites the promised land so that. . .

1. He could bless them, and so
2. He could bring glory to his name and his name would be known in all the world.

The promised land was the crossroad of the known world at this time in history. The corners of the world travelled through here as they travelled to other parts of the world. By placing the Israelites here, God's chosen people, all the world would be influenced by his people and his teaching.

We are all strategically placed in time, in our family, in our city, in our church, in our state, in our country, in our business, etc. We have a destiny and a call of so that.

The apostle Paul had a so that calling too, as recorded in the book of Acts.

Acts 26:17-18 (New International Version, ©2010)

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles.

I am sending you to them to . . .

1. open their eyes and
2. turn them from darkness to light,and
3. from the power of Satan to God,

so that . . .

1. they may receive forgiveness of sins and
2. a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Our Pastor challenged us to ask what our so that calling might be and determine if we had been living it or not.

The Holy Spirit really convicted me when our Pastor talked about how we sometimes bow down to the alter of comfort, security, feeling good, happiness, money, materialism, fame, etc. instead of bowing down to the One True God. He asked us if we were living an idolatrous life and if we let fear prevent us from living our destiny. Have we made up our mind whom we will serve?

What is the significance of where I have been strategically placed in history?

What is my so that calling?

Well, I know for sure I am part of the generation(s) responsible for the state of where our country lies in God's favor right now. Romans 1:21-32 speaks to what I mean. However, as the song Hosanna by Hillsong goes, I am also part of a generation that is rising up to take their place in history as God had planned.

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees


As a Christian wife and mother, raising my children to know and fear the Lord, I am living out my strategic place as matriarch and nurturer within my family. I play a part in raising that next generation who will follow the Lord, not forget his laws, and will walk in obedience before him.

The world is growing increasingly dark and the light of Christ and the Christian influence is needed as never before.

I realized I have been living in fear and bowing down to the idols of comfort and appeasement. I may be living out the life God wants me to by being in my home and homeschooling my children but I have not been wholeheartedly in. I mean, I have lived in fear of what others think, what others know, what others would want me to do. I've been comparing to the world and trying to look good in their eyes. That's not what God wants from me.

God wants me to be concerned about what he thinks. He wants me to be concerned about what he wants me to teach my children. He wants me to be concerned about if they are growing in the areas he needs them to grow in. I am to measure myself against Jesus, and Jesus only. Am I growing more and more like Jesus?

I am not to worry about what the world thinks or if I look good from a worldly perspective. He wants my heart chasing after him and his ways, and my eyes on Jesus. When I concern myself with worldly ways, worldly ideas, and worldly affirmation, I am taking my eyes off Jesus and putting them on myself.

So, I know I have a so that ministry in my home. So that my children will know and love God, be in a saving relationship with Jesus, and so that those who look on my home and my family will see Jesus and be influenced by His power.

Lord, I am sorry for taking my eyes off you and missing the fullness of my destiny. It's so easy to get caught up in the temptations, distractions, and lies of the world and I was wandering in the far off land. Thank you for your loving patience and continued graciousness toward me, a sinner. I thank you also for my calling, my destiny.

1 comment:

The Seaman's said...

gosh, I hate fear!!!! I hate it!! I'm working on releasing it at the Lord's feet each and every day and know that if something happens, he'll be there to comfort me and help me through.

You are amazing! You are not alone!

-Sandra.

Followers