Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)
(Author: Hannah Williamson)
Your calling is going to crush you.
If you are called to mend the brokenhearted, you are going to wrestle with a broken heart.
If you are called to heal God’s little ones, you are going to experience your own share of trauma.
If you’re called to preach and teach the gospel, you WILL be sifted for the wisdom that anoints your message.
If you are called to empower, your self-esteem will be attacked – your successes hard fought.
Your calling will come with spiritual warfare and a sifting – BOTH are necessary for your mantle to be authentic, humble and powerful.
Your crushing won’t be easy because your assignment is not easy – and you can’t minister POWERFULLY what you haven’t walked out. Read that sentence again.
When you’re feeling the weight of it coming down on you, RUN to the Father Who longs to be your comfort. Let Him whisper your true identity over you while resting under the shadow of His wings. Position yourself against His heartbeat. Let Him renew your strength and set your eyes forward.
No olives, no oil.
No grapes, no wine.
Your oil is not cheap my friend.
God,
We call on you to turn to us and hear our prayer and to answer us. Show us the wonders of your love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge from foes. Probe our hearts, examine and test us, find us innocent of bribes and violence. See how we have kept to the paths you have set for us. God, guide us in the crushing, in the pressing, in the hard, hard places. We know that even when you work together all things for good for your children, we still experience some very hard things. Strengthen us. Set our eyes forward. Protect us from discouragement and despair, and continually point us toward your good plans for us. Keep us as the apples of your eye, hidden in the shadow of your wings. Hold us close, Father, even when you are forming us more and more into your image. We pray this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:3-9 NIV)
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