Marysville Nazarene marysvillenazarene

Our world is filled with competing voices and value systems that seek to guide our lives, and these messages often prioritize our control, comfort, safety, and convenience. But Jesus gives us a different reason for living--a new direction through life's detours and delays. Because of Him, we have the ability to know who we are (and whose we are) and that our lives have purpose and meaning.

The calling of the prophet Isaiah is quite dramatic, to say the least. But in the midst of this strange story, there is actually a pattern of an encounter with God that leads to a calling. And that pattern can be quite helpful for all of us as we determine what it is that God is calling us to. 

Some of Jesus' last words to the disciples were, "Go and make disciples of all nations, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...but, first, wait."  He wanted them to wait to receive the gift and power of the Holy Spirit who, in turn, gave them the ability and boldness to make those disciples in ways they never could have imagined.
Just as the fire of the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, that gift is meant for us, too, if we have surrendered all of ourselves to His will and way.  Are you willing to allow that fire to forge the relationship with the Spirit that transforms your story into His story?  

It took Elijah three years to be shaped and prepared in the "forge." It required obedience, and listening--the most important component to prayer. 

Trial by fire is necessary for many, but we often miss out on glorifying God because we can't take the heat! We bow down. Conform. And what we fail to see is that God uses those fiery experiences of life to purge and purify us. The fire doesn't destroy--it burns out the impurities. It refines us. And when you're in the fire for His sake, you'll discover that you're never alone in the flame.

Spiritual formation is about God moving us, improving us, making us stronger, giving us purpose, and showing us what love looks like.
When we become comfortable, we put ourselves at risk without realizing it. But Jesus models for us what it looks like to be sharpened, and it's not for position, authority, or title. We are sharpened to serve! Let's stop striving under our own efforts and begin thriving in the purpose to which our refiner has created us!