I woke up this morning thinking about the apostle Paul; and, some of his words reminded me of a hymn written and performed by Darlene Zschech.
In Paul’s second letter to his young colleague Timothy, he wrote that Followers of Christ have been set aside for a holy calling, not by our worth but offered as a gift to us by Christ himself (2 Timothy 1:9).
Well, this flipped a switch in my head and immediately, I heard Darlene Zschech singing:
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit.
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes.
I’m captured by Your holy calling.
Set me apart, I know you’re drawing me to yourself.
Lead me Lord I pray.
You can listen to it if you want:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgXL3y9RIbI
(Potter’s Hand, Darlene Zschech, Touching Heaven, Changing Earth, 1998)
Have you ever considered that making the choice daily to be a Follower of Christ is far more than just a one-way street? In other words, when we decide to follow Jesus, the reward is much more than just getting our tickets punched for the afterlife!
By following Jesus today, it means that we are also invited to share in his glory (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14), in his greatness, in his world-changing mission!
Right now! Immediately! We do not have to hurry up and die to get the good stuff!
What does this look like? Well, God says, “Test me. Give me your all and see what happens. The flood gates of heaven will open up and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it (Malachi 3:10)!”
Test Christ! Live into his narrative, into his way of doing things.
Adopt his systems of action. Implement his teachings. When we do, blessings will come in such a torrent that they will slosh all over us (Psalm 23:5b).
We are called into a purposeful life; and, richness, fullness and abundance are available now…today!
When Jesus began tugging on our hearts, inviting us to enter his world, he had much more in mind than the hereafter.
I’m captured by your Holy calling,
Set me apart, I know your drawing me to yourself,
Lead me Lord I pray.
Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me,
I give my life to the Potter’s hand.
And finally, I quote Isaac Watt once again:
Let every heart, prepare him room!
And, heaven and nature sings…