Set Apart For a Greater Purpose!
Romans 8:28 (KJV); And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Did you know that before you were conceived in your mother's womb that the lord had already set you apart and placed a calling on your life? In the end it is up to you to answer the call or not. Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP); “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument],And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own];I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
I remember like it was yesterday. It was 2013 My mom and I were on one of our walks where we talk and have our Mother and Daughter time and we saw a friend who lived in the neighborhood. We stopped and talked to him for a little bit, mid way through the conversation he stops and looks at me and tells me that God wants to use me in such a way that it is going to cause me to be separated from people. He goes on to say it's going to be REAL LONELY but God needs me to be away from people so he can manifest somethings in me and fulfill the calling/purpose that he placed on my life. Now at this point in my life I was just getting accustomed to hanging around people who were the total opposite of what I was use to being around. I was now surrounded with young people who go to church, are involved in the church, didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't curse, were kingdom minded ect. Now lets keep in mind that I had just graduated from college a year prior (class of 2012) so I am still being totally delivered from my old habits.
When I heard that, I was not sure on how to feel because I had dealt with so much inconsistency in my life that I was a little numb to the news of someone walking out of my life once again . Even though a part of me was excited because I have seen what God can do and is capable of and I wanted to experience it, but on the other hand the idea of being alone and separated from my peers was not the move at the time. I was use to always being out and about,around people , just enjoying life the right way for once and now I had to sacrifice it all so God can do his thing. After receiving the word that the Lord gave this young man to give me, I took hold of everything BUT the part of being set apart. So I kept hanging out and staying busy not giving time to God like I should have, so you know what ended up happening? God started to remove people from my life. One thing I've learned is that if you don't do what God has called you to do, He will get you in a place where you have NO CHOICE but to take heed and be obedient ( however there are people who may still rebel and ignore God, but when you fear God you will submit and become obedient.)God started to remove people from my life and I would see my peers on social media hanging out and having fun and I noticed that I never got an invite. I know we have all been in a position where you were you didn't make the cut and was on the "Oops forgot to invite you list" and you find out that your friends had a night filled with fun and adventures but no invite was extended to you. Yeah, I've been on that list plenty of times. So, now what felt like rejection from my peers brought me back to a sad/depressed state I was so devastated and perplexed on what was going on. This was just the beginning of my journey.
Deuteronomy 14:2 Amplified Bible (AMP) "for you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you out of all the people who are on the earth to be a people for His own possession."
I would have never imagined that the season of loneliness that I went through would have been as rocky and unstable as it was. When I say the different levels of emotions I went through LORD HAVE MERCY!!! talk about roller coaster. I was all over the place to the point where I started to think something was wrong with me, and I became sad and depressed because it seemed as if I could not keep friends, or just people around me. Little did I know that was nothing but the trick of the enemy to get me to stray away from God and distract me with my emotions. In reality God was removing people from my life. Where God wanted to take me I couldn't bring people, but I was not comprehend that in the beginning.I would try to hold on to these relationships that God showed me I HAD to let go of. I was so afraid of being alone and feeling left out that I ignored God and all the signs that he was showing me. I ended up not just hurting myself but also hurting my walk with God which caused a delay in the process. When God calls you for a greater purpose you have to walk alone. You may love someone, love being friends with someone, spending time with people, but since God has a specific call on your life they can't go with you. They can become a hindrance and hold you back and even could also potentially jeopardize the call on your life.1 Corinthians 12:12-27 talks about even though we are all one body we all have different assignments and just because you have a different assignment it doesn't mean that you're greater or less than another. Ephesians 4: 11-16 talks about different callings that help edify the body of Christ. Everyone has a purpose here on Earth, believe it or not we ALL have a purpose. Some of you may be thinking How can I have a purpose for the Kingdom of God? I'm not perfect! I make mistakes! I am not where I would like to be! God will deliver you with your help of course and God will use:
- your experiences
- areas that you felt were your lowest of lows to touch the lives of those who can relate
- and help deliver those who have been where you have been.
You will be surprised with how many people have gone through or are currently going through what you have been through. My Loneliness is Birthing my Purpose! Isaiah 41:10 AMP; So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.I can honestly say looking back in my season of loneliness (currently still in the season) it's been rewarding. In the beginning I definitely did not see it as rewarding by any means but, by spending more time with God He has shown me the direction of where he wants to take me, what He is preparing me for is something great, and I must trust him through the process. Now during my "Me" time, God definitely opened my eyes to see:
- People for who they really are
- Showed me what and who he saved me from
- Took the scales off of my eyes so I would stop being naive
- Showed me things about myself that I needed/need to work on
- What i needed to mature in concerning my walk with Christ
- My purpose
- Most importantly allowed me to know God for who HE is and know him in a more intimate way.
We must be able to perceive the season because there are different seasons for different reasons. When God separates you for a purpose/ plan and you're not able to comprehend what is going on seek God's face. Do not get wrapped up in your thoughts, emotions and what you can see with the natural eye, because you can easily become subject to those emotion if you dwell in them long enough. That is dangerous! When you let your emotions run your thoughts you can end up walking right out of God's will for your life because you’re not focused on becoming. One thing about God is that there is a reason behind everything he does nothing he does is in vain.God has to get you to a place where he can have your full undivided attention. Especially if you're a busy body who is always up and running with everyone but never sacrifice time to be with God. We all have a purpose and God wants us to live out our purpose and in order for that to happen we must get in the face of God and just communicate with him through prayer, reading his word and just surrendering your life to him also known as submission.
" God isolates you so you can get yourself together. It may seem like you lost friendships & relationships but a better you is worth more!"
So I just want to encourage you today to stay focused on the call that God has set for you. If God is trying to get your attention and you can sense him pulling at your heart take heed, listen and be obedient. The end results will have you EXCITED that you were obedient and let God have his way. Your purpose is greater than anything this world has to offer or can offer. KINGDOM MINDED... KINGDOM DESTINED. Gets no better than that.God Bless,xoxoxo.....