Hey there!
Here we are, nearing the end of Week 1, and what a treasure-filled week it's been! It has me reflecting back on the different paths I’ve taken in the pursuit of purpose.
Though I’ve believed in God basically my whole life, I didn’t choose to “swim parallel” with Him from about age 12 to 27. During that time, I pushed away from God and pursued my own course. I declared things like:
I may hang out with people, but will never again allow them too close.
I may date, but will never marry.
I may adopt, but will never have kids of my own or foster.
I may become a mom, but will never be a stay-at-home mom.
Do you know where all those self-declared, self-centered plans led? To a long season of being lost, lonely and bitter. Thankfully, since then, God’s shown me another way.
Through this week’s study, we looked at four different biblical examples to see how the people responded to God’s purpose for them. Let’s review the basic results for each.
Chose to listen to the enemy and/or themselves regarding their longings for purpose:
- Adam and Eve: kicked out of the garden; separated from God.
- The people of Babel: scattered all over the earth; separated from God and others.
Chose to listen to and follow the purpose God had for their lives:
- Noah: called righteous; saved and used by God to repopulate the earth!
- Abraham: called righteous; given offspring more numerous than the stars, and that led to Jesus!
Of all the treasures this week, this is what I never want to forget: the difference it makes when we embrace God’s purpose for our lives!
I never want to go back to my 12- to 27-year-old self and continually fall into the same traps as Adam, Eve and the people of Babel. I want to be like Noah. I want it to be said of me like Abraham:
“And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
How about you?
If you haven’t read about Abraham yet, that’s today’s assignment:
I’ve loved studying with you!
Kat
Let’s Chat!
Are you embracing God’s purposes or your own? What will you apply from this week to better recognize and embrace the purposes God has for you?