……….it’s NOT YET OVER! I WILL RISE AGAIN!

These were the words which were echoing in me at the time when I was completely beaten down by life experiences and expectations.

In this life we are living, we always have a lot of expectations and furthermore more people around us expect much from us. We work tirelessly in every aspects of our lives to ensure that things work out for the best. This drives us to invest our precious time, efforts and resources having the assurance that at the end of day we shall earn good returns.

However as you continue in your quest, you see things not working according to your plans. This starts to eat up your mind as you fathom deep on the time, effort, financial and all other resources you had invested in it. Indeed it makes you run crazy, regretting as to why you had taken such a decision.

Most of us at this phase of time start to go into isolation, especially when you invested heavily physically, emotionally and even financially. We tend to believe that by seeking solace in ourselves will help better our situation. Little do we know that in so doing we lock others out of our lives, even people who love and care for us. We end up hurting ourselves and mostly other people around us. The worst scenario can be one ending up taking own life.

Yes, you may have screwed up in life; Yes, things may not have worked or are not working according to your expectations. This does not warrant you to throw in the towel or keep on punishing yourself. It’s not yet over!

You need to realize that the very first step which you took to pursue that lifelong dream; that path which no one believed in but yourself was in itself an accomplishment. For you took that bold step to venture into the unknown, to see what is on the other side. Something which many of us dread!

This is part of the process to realize your great inlay potential! You may not be the first one nor the last. Many great men and women today, did not wake up to be where they are or what they are. It took a series of trial and error for them to perfect what they are.

We need to understand that we are a “WORK IN PROGRESS”. The time when you shall actualize this, then you will definitely understand that all that you passed through was not in vain.

…………………….so IT’S NOT YET OVER!! THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!

RIKINDLE THE EMBERS!

It is time to Rekindle the embers!! For years we have been sitting on our great gifts and talents, waiting for something to happen or change our situation. Some of us have the capabilities of becoming great musicians, leaders, writers, teachers, preachers, CEOs etc. However we haven't realized the potential lying within us.

God has vested enormous gifts and talents in our lives in order to execute HIS greater purpose and endeavor in our lives here on earth. He took great care and time in choosing the precise clay to use on us. Also in PRESSING, MOLDING and KNEADING us to the kind of person(s) we are, that's why we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

We should not let all these gifts and talents bestowed in us get rot or go down the drain. We need to re-identify them and FAN them into life again! The moment we realize the GREATER TALENTS AND RESOURCES which are in us and how much we're worth, our situations will definitely change! Our thinking mentality will never be the same.

Timothy in his early mission life felt intimidated probably due to his young age, fear factor etc. Paul being his mentor realized this and urged him to STIR UP the Gift of God in his life!!

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (Amplified Bible) That is why I would remind you to STIR UP (REKINDLE the embers of, FAN the flame of, and KEEP BURNING) the [gracious] GIFT OF GOD, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[a]with those of the elders at your ordination]. For GOD DID NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of POWER and of LOVE and of CALM and WELL-BALANCED MIND and DISCIPLINE and SELF-CONTROL.

Let us REKINDLE all the gifts and talents in our lives!!

Are you ready to be a vessel?

Definition of a vessel: (n.) Figuratively: A person regarded as receiving or containing something; esp. (Script.), one into whom something is conceived as poured, or in whom something is stored for use; as, vessels of wrath or mercy. Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language 

Background Text: Matthew 9:9-13 (New International Version)

 9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Introduction

Matthew one on the twelve apostles was a person who was much despised and looked down upon by his fellow countrymen because of the nature of his occupation. He was a tax collector for the Roman government who at the time were very oppressive to the Israelites. Before his call to the apostolic office, he was known as Levi the tax collector. Due to his occupation he was familiar to many people in the areas of Capernaum.  His occupation which also involved pointing out of the tax defaulters made him to be more of an eyesore to his countrymen.

Those who were unable to pay taxes were sent to forced labor or work as slave until all the taxes were fully paid. Here he was a roman vessel of wrath! Undoubtedly he also used to steal from many people by deceit means and thereby enriching himself at others expense. 

However when Jesus Christ saw him, He saw a very different person! He saw a vessel of mercy! He saw a person who is crucial to saving of many souls! Someone who will stand to defend the gospel of truth to the extent of risking even his life! Many had earmarked Levi as a fraudster; a dishonesty fellow; a liar; an unworthy fellow; you name it! But our Lord Jesus Christ saw the “GIFT OF YAHWEH”! He saw someone who was available and ready to be used.

When Jesus motioned to Levi the tax collector to “FOLLOW HIM”, Levi did not hesitate for a moment. He even was not bothered to whom to handover or give a report of the collection of the day, nor was he bothered to tender in a letter of resignation but hearkened to the voice of the Lord, “he got up and followed Jesus”! Levi was ready and available to take up his position in the army of the Lord.

A learning point for us:

1.      Willing hearts

Our Lord Jesus Christ is looking for those willing hearts which are available and ready to be used as vessels of mercy. He is asking us today these very questions which He asked Isaiah in a vision more than 2000 years ago…….. “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Isaiah 6:8-9 (NIV). 

Are we ready to hearken to the voice of the Lord when He calls us to follow Him?

2.      Standards of men

We look at the outward appearance which is always deceiving. Christ is not looking at our wisdom, influence or background. He came to all mankind so that we may receive eternal life. When Jesus saw Levi the tax collector, He saw a great potential which was lying idle in him and knew that this man (Levi) was very essential in enhancing of God’s Kingdom. The Pharisees’ ignorance blinded them of the purpose which Messiah had come to fulfill. They were blinded by their own attitude, for they were not willing to receive Christ and let Him use them.

 26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (NIV).

3.      Harvest is ready

The Lord’s harvest is ready there are many souls which are empty; bleeding; harassed; dispirited; helpless and lost for they are without a shepherd. These souls yearn to find rest, compassion and salvation.

4.      Workers are few

Our Lord is seeking for men and women who are ready to be used as vessels of mercy to reach out to these souls which are lost. To feed these souls which are empty with the great gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! To reach out to them and show them the great compassion which only Christ can give.

 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)

Are we ready to be used as Christ’s vessels to reach out to all the nations of the world? Are we really available for the purpose which our Lord Jesus Christ has bestowed upon us? Are we settings standards or have become a stumbling block to those whom Christ wants to use?

For Prayer

Lord we ask you to put your Spirit in us so that we can be able to realize the potential in us and also others. Forgive us for our judgemental attitude; we ask you to remove all kinds of obstacles in our lives which may hinder us from serving you. We are ready to be used as your vessels.