How many of us desire to fulfill our destiny, our calling in Jesus? If that is our desire, let me address one of the minor things that I have found to be a major detriment in my own walk. In our own culture I like others have a laptop, home cell phone and a work cell phone. I have been in the habit of getting up and sitting with Jesus and His word early in the morning for three decades. However, something I have also found is the past couple of years is that my spirit has been disturbed, more so in the past couple of months.
I recognize that these tools, worship music via my computer, and the other things that are easily accessible, get in the way. I have thought for the past couple of months that I need to leave my work phone off until 7 in the morning, I just recently started turning it off on weekends, leaving it off first things in the morning is the next step. What firmed up my resolution was attending a leadership course. It wasn’t a Christian one but it was a very good and one of the things the lead instructor spoke about was how we are at our creative best (in terms of brain wave cycles) when we first wake up. Her take was that we should give that time to ourselves to further ourselves. My take is that we should give that time to Jesus to further His kingdom!
For some of you it may be a time other than first thing in the morning that you give to Him. I just know that if it is at all possible this is the best way to start the day, and continue it, being with Him. If we don’t press the pause button on demands and focus on Jesus first thing it is harder later. If we do it is easier to turn to Him and walk with Him throughout the day.
So why is this important? It is important because we can miss His voice and His heart if we are trapped in busyness. I think it is significant that there is only a one letter difference between ‘busyness’ and ‘business’ and that we like Jesus need to be about our Father’s business rather than caught up in our busyness. I say this because I do believe we can miss our calling and purpose by giving our time and attention to the wrong things. Look at the passage below.
11 And Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:11-14 (NKJV)
What did Saul do here? It was a seemingly small thing but he took on a role that was not his. Now we may agree with Saul. A battle was looming and the sacrifice needed to be made. The Lord may have even forgiven the act if done with right motives. However, why did Saul do it? In verse 12 he states he did it because ‘he felt compelled.’ Some of his troops were leaving and rather than addressing them and dealing with the issue, a role that was his, he took on Samuel’s role. What did it cost him? His kingdom and his future. I highlighted part of verse 13 because this was what was given to David. Had Saul not given in to his inner compulsions David would not have become king and Saul’s lineage on the throne of Israel would have continued. Saul accomplished many things after this, many good things, but over time he descended into madness because he refused to truly address his heart attitude and repent of his sin.
The kingdom and throne were removed from Saul. This throne was extremely significant because David sat on it next and we know whose throne is Jesus seated upon. David’s, Saul’s replacement.
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (NKJV)
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:29-33 (NKJV)
So what does Jesus being seated on David’s throne have to do with whether or not we check our email or text messages the first thing when we get up? Everything! Saul didn’t misuse his authority and make the wrong choice just one time. His insecurity that led to this choice was established by earlier choices. My point is that ‘now’ is a good time to make different choices and establish new patterns. Which is why Peter exhorted us as follows.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV)
This verse is not about salvation, it is about our eternal standing that is determined by our choices after salvation. I personally believe I have been making some wrong ones. I have still been getting up early each morning and reading the scriptures and praying but my heart has been distracted for a long time. So, my plan is to return to my first love and start each day spending more time with singleness of heart just sitting in His presence and experiencing His heart, making my calling and election sure. Will you join me?
I’m with you and have actually been feeling convicted of the same thing. I get up early but am too easily distracted wondering what is in the inbox, what emails need to be returned etc. Thank you for this challenge.
Susan, we can hold one another accountable and perhaps more will join us!
Every now and again it would seem that I stumble across or hear something that would seem to be written ‘just for me’. I consider this post to be exactly that and I thank you for it.
Thanks Rhonda, as Solomon wrote, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1) and we are both old enough to add, “turn, turn, turn” from the old folk song:-)