Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket? In South Carolina, they are lovely shade of blue with this scary sentence in all caps midway down the page (don’t ask me how I know this),
“YOU ARE SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TRIAL OFFICER.”
Life has a way of interrupting your plans, especially when you’re so focused on the goal that you don’t see the signs on the side of the road.
In Mesus’s book, In the Shadow of Jezebel, Jehosheba had been groomed all her life to become a high priestess. Even through the grueling training and her sadistic teacher, the beautiful princess took pride in pleasing her father and stepmother. But all that changed when the evil queen, Jezebel, summoned her to appear. The new set of plans she revealed crumpled Jehosheba’s world completely and sent her, trembling, into the unknown.
But didn’t you love the way Mesu had God deal with their plans, sending all their schemes scattering faster than a little boy’s open carton of BB’s in the back pew of the church? It was only through the Lord’s leading and Jehoiada’s love that Jehosheba found the real reason she was created.
Seven years ago, I thought I knew what my path would be in corporate America. I was a trainer for one of the largest insurance companies in the state, making my plans according to a copy of the corporate org chart. I had no idea that within six months, I would be totally disabled, unable to keep my job, even when they offered to let me work from home.
My disability sent me straight to my knees and into God’s Word to find the answer. Hidden toward the end of Philippians, verse 14 of chapter three, I found where Paul encourages us to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God.”
The prize is not corporate success, influence or financial gain. The prize is the call of God. The honor He bestows on us is the summons to serve Him. He who called me knows my limitations. He knows my failures. And yet, He still wants me. He can still use me. I just have to draw close to Him and listen to His voice.
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Amen, woman! LOVE this! And I love your word picture–“a little boy’s spilled BBs in the back of the church.” Yikes! I heard them go skittering all over that floor!
It’s a vivid picture of my efforts and Satan’s attempts to foil God’s best. Neither amounts to anything when matched against God’s loving plans for me.
Awesome message from a lady who’s been there. Thanks so much for sharing from your heart. <3
Amen to that Mesu! It’s never easy being knocked down and getting back up again. Heaven knows I’ve been there enough times. But He is always with us and He knows what we need and when and it’s always there right on time. I marvel at His goodness. I’m happy he brought me friends like you ladies. Bravo, Angie:)
Yes! He does overcome, without a doubt. But sometimes when we’re in those depths, it’s so hard to remember that, isn’t it?
Thank you so much! You’re the one who taught me to share my heart, sweet lady! (And the “BB’s in the church” incident really did happen!)
Oh, Michele! I’m so sorry you can commiserate. Yes, just hang on to that truth and look for His love … His work, when we need it most, just as you said.
So glad to have you as a friend, too! So glad that we’re all part of Mesu’s BFFs! Thank you so much!
Wonderful reminder Angie! I have been mindful of this lately as we journey through the adoption process – lots of paperwork, lots of waiting! But God has called us and He will see all things to their perfect conclusion. I am so glad He is in control!
Julie, I know what you mean! Praying for you as you go through this. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you’ll make it through.