You are chosen - appointed by God
I don't know about you but that's amazing. The God who created this universe that we reside in, the sun, moon, stars and all the amazing creatures on this planet has chosen and appointed you and me. So what are we chosen and appointed to do? Jesus tells us in John 15:16 AMP " You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you."
You are right where you need to be as God's representative. God has planted you purposefully to bear fruit right where you are in this life. As many of you know, I have been in a season of care taking. God called me to leave my job last June. I wasn't sure why, other than I knew my ex-father-in-law (I prefer father-in-love) would be having hip replacement surgery within weeks of me leaving my job. It turned out that God had a much larger assignment not only for me but my husband and his Dad. The assignment even included my own parents.
Within three weeks of leaving my job, I not only found myself taking care of my Father-in-Love but we soon found God was calling us to extend our love and compassion to my ex-husband who started living with his father. Sadly, he was in worse shape than his 82 year old father, but God gave us the love, patience, gentleness and kindness to care for them both. We served them both through hip replacement surgery and rehab. My parents even transported my ex-husband to several of his doctor appointments. We also provided meals and ran errands for them.
As my father-in-love recovered and then my own father's battle began fighting cancer. We walked with my parents through all the treatments and we were hopeful for his complete recovery. In December, my Dad's health began to fail and he was admitted to the hospital. The very next day my ex-husband passed away due to complications with diabetes and liver disease. Then my sweet daddy went to be with Jesus just 54 days later.
Life can be challenging. No matter what we are facing, God is calling us to produce long lasting fruit. We can do that when we are rooted in his love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can give and demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control even to those that we never thought we would be called to serve and love. If I can do it, you can too. You know why? Because you are chosen and appointed by God.
Change is a good thing!
We all struggle with change. Sometimes God calls us to do things that we didn't really want to do. Embrace where you are and be brave to grow and flourish when God calls you to something new.
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I think Jesus is telling me to "Look Up!" How about you? Are you focusing on the problem or the promises of God? Look up my friend, your comforter, the Holy Spirit is with you right now to help you in every situation. Paul tells his supporters in Philippians 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." That same promise is for you and me and that's some great news, because if it's not good, it's not over.
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