God woke me up this morning already talking to me about devotionals I would write. I heard very clearly this word, earmarked.
Earmarked- verb: designate (something, typically funds or resources) for a particular purpose. Noun: 1. a characteristic or identifying feature. 2. A congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project. 3. A mark on the ear of a domesticated animal indicating ownership or identity.
Friends, I truly believe that we, as God’s chosen people, were earmarked to walk out this season and the seasons to come. The verse, “for such a time as this” has never been more relevant. But let’s face it, most generations have had their own specific battles to wage. We are not unusual in walking out a struggle. Think of all the generations that lived through major wars, the holocaust, the depression, all the years of segregation, the list could go on and on.
We are naïve, and honestly self-centered, to believe that we somehow have it much harder than those who lived before us.
We were made for such a time as this. God has woven unique qualities into each of our hearts that make us resilient and capable to walk this out with Him. Those who’ve gone before us have paved the way for us to walk where we are now. Roads have been previously cut. Yes, we will make some new roads, but we’ve learned so much from what we’ve seen go before us.
When I take a minute to allow myself to fully settle into the fact that I was specifically created to be alive right now, then I have an opportunity to partner with whatever it is that God is doing. If I walk around saying, “I was really borne for another time.” or “This is terrible, nobody has been through things like this. Why is life always so hard for me?” then I chose to become a victim of my circumstance.
I am no victim. I am victorious.
I have very little time or patience for those who choose to walk around proclaiming they are always a victim of this or that. We all have a choice. We can act and live as if life has “happened to us”, or we can “happen” to life. Meaning, we can live life to the fullest and deliberately partner with God during any season of life.
Prayer Moment: Today, I encourage you to take a personal inventory. Have you been walking out life as a victim or a victor? Is your default to blame and pout, or is it to find God? Every day we have the chance to re-calibrate and change our perspective of things. Today could be your day! Don’t let life happen to you. Make decisions and take heed of the small choices that lead to a heart of steadiness.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:15-18
365 Days in the Presence 