The Man God Uses: Moved from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Blackaby outlines a four step pattern that is seen in many Biblical characters:
- God chooses
- God calls
- God prepares
- God uses
I can see this pattern in the lives of David, Moses, Abraham, the disciples, Paul, etc. As our memory verse for the week says, God knows what He has planned for me. He chose me from before the foundation of the earth.
It’s interesting that God calls us not to do something specifically but to be in communion and a relationship with Him. He may have us doing many different tasks throughout our lifetime, building upon the experiences we encounter. Slowly but surely, as we build up our character, He uses us for bigger and better things.
Are you changed? That is a question that I wrote in the margin of the book today. For if there is no change in your life, why bother? The change is spelled out throughout the Bible; here is one from Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
As before, I need to continually check my life against the fruit that is supposed to be maturing in it.
Blackaby goes on to discuss testing and the need for God to test us to see where we are in our faith at any given time. I do not want to be tested! Yes, I know that it is necessary but why would I wish this upon myself?
“He calls us to be in relationship with Him.” Nothing sweeter! Thanks for the reminder!