Sunday I posted a picture of our Pastor, Ron Lewis. He was sharing his heart with us about GRACE. He also talked about ELECTION which was exactly what helped change a bit of my perspective.
One of many things that he said that stood out to me was this (my paraphrase):
Think about that for a moment.
Ok, truthfully — how many times have you felt you were chasing God? How often do you feel He must be found? I know what some of you are thinking — yes, there are scriptures that tell us to SEEK Him — and we must seek Him. However, that statement made me stop for a second.
Isaiah 49:1a
Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb He has spoken my name.
Ok, think about this scripture a moment. BEFORE you were born and BEFORE you were even FORMED in your mother’s womb, HE SPOKE YOUR NAME. From the very beginning our God had a plan — you and I were part of this plan!
I don’t think Pastor Ron shared that scripture, but I was reading Isaiah 49 Sunday night and it jumped off the page. God was comforting me, reminding me that HE formed me in my mother’s womb. It was His plan and He loved me and called me His even then.
I have received quite a few emails over the years concerning this blog. Many have wanted a closer relationship with the Lord and wondered how to get there. I can relate to that question because sometimes it seems like a task of reaching out and touching the moon. But in actuality, none of us would even be seeking Him if He didn’t woo us.
John 6:45It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me [Jesus].
Ephesians 1:4He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth …
God has chosen YOU from the beginning. He desires a relationship with YOU.
God loves us and He pursues US.
If you are like me, you are on a mission to know Him better. You desire MORE of Him in your life and want to hear His voice more clearly (and for some — recognize His voice for the first time).
We must continue our pursuit of our Father’s heart, but also realize that WE wouldn’t be pursuing HIM if He wasn’t calling us. Doesn’t that change your perspective just a little?
(Photo credit: Photo taken of me at TWC where I attended a conference this weekend. I borrowed the photo from their collection of photos. I am in the blue long coat — seeking God.)
