I love getting messages as for topics to write on. This blog page is for all of us. It shows me that I am not posting something to never land, never to be seen or read. It is also for the followers of this blog page, to actually read something that is of interest to their lives. It makes a connection between you and me.
Feeling disconnected can lead to uneasy feelings and thoughts, and that is when we are at risk of doing something regretful. A husband feels disconnected from his wife and has an affair. A daughter feels disconnected from her father and enters an abusive relationship and has a child before marriage. An employee feels disconnected for their work team and quits without having another job lined up.
What about the Christian who feels disconnected from God? It happens. Happened to me, and actually recently also. It was not anything that made me question my Christian faith, but one of my ministries, this one. I was questioning if I should continue, was I wasting my time and money doing this. Was anyone growing from the messages or were they even being read at all?
After a few weeks of writing nothing: I had writers block. I could not think of a new series or anything to write about. I sent out a message on social media and I actually got responses back for topics, one being this topic. There was still an interest. I then looked at for of the stats on my blog page. Not only were there people from the United States opening seeing the blog posts, but also India, France, Ireland, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong and China. Ireland and China are the countries with the most views outside of the United States. God is blessing this blog page and everyone one of you who support this page is a part of this growth. Thank you from the deepest part of my heart!
But does this actually answer the question: What does God have planned for my future? The answer is simple, but not easy. Get to know Jesus! This is not just a book or head knowledge; it is a relationship.
Think when you were younger and you had a crush on someone, maybe it was a famous person. If you are of an age before social media you would read about the person in a magazine. You learn where they grew up, went to school, the color of their eyes, favorite food, and anything else you could find. You know this person, but one problem remains. You are not in a relationship with this person.
When you are in a relationship you are more receptive to hearing when being called.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
Like we discussed last week about having faith in an everyday life, are we listening? Our purpose is to be building God’s kingdom, but we are poorly equipped if we are not in a relationship with Jesus. Does this mean everyone should strive to become a pastor, or missionary? No, but even a layperson has a role in this.
When I first became a Christian, I thought all I needed to do was show up to a building called a church, sing songs and not sleep during a sermon. If I knew then what I was asked to do from then to now, I might have went running away. From only wanting to go to a building one a week for an hour became so much more. I have given sermons at a Christian drug and alcohol rehab center. This from a person who failed speech class in High School! I then gave monthly sermons at an International Church as one of the men’s ministry leaders. This from a person who is most comfortable being alone, not leading. I know teach a Friday night Bible class. This from a person who before becoming a Christian on “knew” that Jesus was born on Christmas, died on a Friday, but came back to life on Easter. And Jesus walked on water. Now I teach?!?!?! I also besides this blog page and write another as a Christian outreach to the Muslims in Indonesia.
If I knew any of this was God’s future plans for me, I am not sure I would have responded as Isaiah did. I may have been more like Moses’ response of disbelief and asking God to send someone else. This is why we do not need to know exactly what God’s plan is for our future. As long as respond to the daily requests and our relationship with Jesus grows over time, we will be able to look back and see how far we have come along and see the positive influences we have made for God’s kingdom.
Each day we live today is preparing us for something tomorrow. I do not know what my future holds for me and I do not take for granted I am guaranteed a tomorrow. I need to be the best I can be today for God to be able to use me tomorrow. Everyone is called, but everyone will not accept.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, Not will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8.