Luke 1-2 Choices

Another wonderful message this Sunday from Luke's gospel on choices that Jesus made and how they impact us now. What I will focus on in this post is the second section of the Pastor's message on the kind of people God chooses to carry out his work in the world. Think you're not a leader, or you're poor with words, or lacking skills, or unattractive, or too shy, think you can't possibly be of use to God? Think again. Remember what God sees in you is different than what people see in you. If your heart is tuned to God, you're saved, and you are seeking to live your life for him, that is where it starts. Having surrendered to him and given up your own management of your life puts you on the path to be of use in the Lord's service. When you place yourself in God's hands, allowing him to be the potter and you the clay, he is able to shape you into the person he's calling you to be. The next thing is being willing to pay the price or make the sacrifice needed to follow him. Jesus said, later in Luke, that no one who puts his hand to the plow then looks back is fit to serve. To follow the Lord you must let go of the past and take off in the direction he sends you in. You must give up the old for the new. The other requirement, and one I've had the hardest time with, is trusting his promises. I've gone through some tough times in my life and have often prayed but doubted anything would happen. I say the prayer, sometimes having prayed the same thing for what seems to be an eternity, only to hear no response. It's easy to give up and forget that God's timing is not our timing and to trust he will come through at the right moment. When you are in the midst of struggle and begin to doubt God will keep his promises, start thinking of all the times he's come through for you in the past. That has often helped me to keep faith and to battle on. God has a perfect track record, so there's no reason to expect anything other than the right outcome. So choose on this day who you will serve. It's totally up to you. Just know that God has already chosen you and is ready and waiting to give you an opportunity to live an amazing adventure to make a difference in this world that will impact all eternity. Will you be like Mary and respond by saying "be it unto me according to thy word, Lord?" I pray you will.