Day #39

And Count down!! One more day till fast ends, having a corporate break fast with the whole church at 10 am tomorrow morning.

Onto the third concept we thought about throughout our fast.

3. WHAT IS THE LAND THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US?

After thinking about ourselves as heirs, as children of destiny, we then looked at attempts to identify the Kingdom of God. And now, we turn to a more personal subject. What, indeed, is the land that our Father has given to us?

We are all different; and God's purposes for us are equally unique. But are we really clear on what those purposes are? For God does not create man for the land; He creates the land for man. And it is then our responsibility to ensure that this land we have been entrusted with does indeed grow, that we are indeed working out what God wants us to do with our lives.

Ephesians is rather adamant about the response we should have towards God's calling. God is calling out to us, but we MUST take the initiative and respond, and reply. We might think we are not suited for the job, but if our Father deems us qualified, then we are qualified, regardless of what we or other people might think.

We all have to start somewhere (usually small), and there is no task discrimination in the Kingdom - no task is 'better' than another, and no task is more important than the rest. However it IS in our human nature to compete, compare and complain (the 3 Cs) amongst our peers. And the bible tells us to put off that old behaviour, and instead treat everyone equally, with love.

It is also important to remember that even as we go about working in the space we have been given, that we are ultimately serving God, not man. Nothing else should be used as a reason or an excuse to do / think otherwise.

In community especially, there is a need for tolerance and love, for in cultivating our land we usually engage with other individuals who are doing the same. And when differences in opinions occur, they result in strife and unnecessary social tension. How do we handle such situations? With sound judgement, discernment from the Holy Spirit, and through love. Forgive and forget, very meaningful ideas to live by.

For if we understand what the land God wants us to have is, and actively set aside our individualistic mindsets to follow after Him, surely He will pour His abundant blessings upon us, that we may become a blessing for others.

Prayer : Dear Father, help us to correctly recognize the lands You have planted us in, and equip us with the necessary tools to cultivate and develop them, that Your name will be glorified through our faith in You, and that more may come to know the saving grace and power of Your name. Amen