What would cause a person to put it on the places, all the places I see it? Why? It is identity. It is the longing in every heart that wants to be known, to leave our mark, to make a difference, to be something. But what a broken, ugly version of display it is. God created these desires in our hearts for His purpose. To be. So he could display. So he can mark me with belonging, with importance, with purpose, with eternity, with lasting virtue and measured, defining truth about who I am, that I matter, that who I am matters, that what I am doing matters, that I am enough, that God’s display on me is enough, that the constant tug on my heart is not do, display, chase, perform, mask, reveal, try harder, do more, but rather, be still, slow, sit, enjoy, reprieve, listen, praise, thank, love and be loved. And then He speaks.
God (G) – You matter. You always did and you always will. You are enough and you are more than enough with me. Your mark with me is lasting. Your place in time is finite yet infinite. In me, you are and I am. The marks are cries, calling out from deep, broken, dark, angry, gregarious places, “look at me. I matter. I can for all to see, what I say counts, my script, my color, my words, my place, me, me, me”.
And yet, the truth is, they all long for what I offer, and they reject, knowingly or unknowingly, it is the same. Holy Spirit (HS) is and there is no such thing as an unreached people group. HS reaches all, every being has an opportunity from conception, life, throughout every breathe and up until death. There is no such thing as an unreached people group. My people. They are mine. I reach. It is not man’s reach, it is mine. All are reached. And all choose, numerous times. Seeing my creation, do you rejoice and thank me or do you think? When HS stirs, do you ignore, reason, squelch or do you breathe, listen, respond? All fall short of the glory of God but Jesus.
Beth (B) – Where does it say go out and make disciples, it’s different?
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
I ponder on this. Disciples are followers.
Man versus God. Unreached people groups. A man term. God is after every individual. All matter and all have opportunity to know him. Man does not need to be in the mix. He can. And often it is beautiful, but God doesn’t need me to save the world. Jesus did that. He needs me to go low and slow and love and seek him. He wants me to be in relationship with him. That is the showcase He uses for His glory. With him. Not on my agenda, on His. Disciples are followers. Yes Lord, I want to follow you.
Excerpt from An Encourager’s Heart