God knows our calling and He knows exactly what skills we need in order to fulfill that calling. The only part left for us, is to step into His plan. God says “before you were formed in your mother’s womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5), and “all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).
Moses was set apart to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. He was born at a time when Pharaoh ordered all the baby boys to be drown in the river Nile (Exodus 1:22), but because he was called to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt some 40 years later, he was floated down the Nile in a basket for safe keeping (Exodus 2:3). As a young man, Moses' character shows many traits that would become significant in his charge of leading the Exodus. In Exodus, chapter 2, we see Moses’ sense of justice when he retaliates in killing an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave. Throughout the chapter, his sense of injustice is clear – he is an active defender of his people rather than an apathetic bystander, the perfect man for the job!
Chapter 2 ends with the cries of the Israelites going up to heaven, calling out to God for rescue. God tells Moses that He has heard their cry, and is answering their plea in sending Moses: “I have come down to rescue them . . . so now, go, I am sending you” (Exodus 3:8, 10). Moses' sense of conviction, justice, and action were characteristics that God had placed in Moses from before he was born, to enable Moses to walk in his God-given calling, and to fulfill God’s purpose not just for Moses, but for the nation of Israel.
We see a similar story with David. As a boy, he looked after sheep, as a man, he would look after a nation of people. As a boy, he was brave, and completely reliant on God. The boy David declared to his giant enemy “you come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). This same reliance on God was David’s weapon when he has a mighty King “The king trusts in the Lord: through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes” (Psalm 21:7-8). The shepherd boy and the mighty king shared the same character that God designed into David when he set him apart for his calling.
What’s your character?
1. How would you describe your character in 3 words?
2. How do other people describe you?
What’s you calling?
3. What would you describe as the 3 most essential skills needed for the job you are currently doing? Is there at least 2/3 overlap in those job skills and your character?
If not, do you feel you are in God’s ordained plan for you? If not, why not? Is this temporary?
4. What would you need to do to step into a role that more closely aligns with your character? Is that something you’d be willing to do?
5. Has your character morphed away from what God designed into you? If so, how can you replenish what the world and/or flesh has stolen to regain your God-given character?
Pray to God and ask Him to reveal His ordained plan for you as well as how your character may have changed over the years. Do an honest assessment of where you are now in life, against where you believe God is directing you. Seek input from someone who knows you well – your skills, your passions, what riles you, what gives you joy.
Prayer
Lord, help us to honor you in all we do. Help us to surrender fully and with joy to whatever it is you have ordained for us to do. Lord, let your word be a lamp to our feet showing us the way we should go, and give us grace when we stray, and a discerning heart to find our way back to you. Lord help us live the life you have called us to live, so our joy would be full, and you would be glorified.
In Jesus name.
Amen!
Blessing
"It is better to have one day in the temple of the Lord, than a thousand elsewhere" (Psalm 84:10)