The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Rom 8:19 (NIV)
When James (not his real name) heard God’s command to proceed to the thick jungle on the outskirt of his town and preach to the trees, he was very puzzled, but still chose to obey that still small voice, however irrational the command might have seemed to him. That day he did his best preaching to the trees before returning home. So, you can imagine his surprise when that same voice told him a few days later to return to the same place and preach again. Although increasingly perplexed by this command, James nevertheless obeyed what he believed to be God’s voice, and did exactly as he was told. He later returned to his home and thought nothing more about the whole episode. A few days later, the same voice told him to go back to the same spot and preach the gospel once again. While he still could not understand what was really going on and God in His wisdom had chosen not to enlighten him, he again obeyed and went as usual to preach in the forest.
After he had concluded his beautiful sermon to the trees, he got ready to go home as usual, but was startled when a man emerged from the forest and confronted him with the words “Why are you always telling me not to kill myself whenever I have come into this forest purposely to end my life by hanging myself?” James was taken aback by the sudden appearance of this strange man, but on listening to the story of his life he realised that God had purposely been sending him into this specific part of the forest at those particular times in order to prevent a hopeless man from taking his own life and more importantly so that James could introduce him to Jesus Christ.
Maybe you presently feel as if your life does not really matter or that God does not care for or have any use for your life. The simple truth that you need to grasp is that you matter to the God who has a wonderful plan for your life. So, commit your life to Him afresh and determine to obey His word, even when you don’t understand the end that He is trying to achieve, for His plans for you are of good and not of evil to give you an expected end, Jer 29:11.
Like He did with that hopeless man who had forlornly resolved to hang himself in our story, you too can become God’s means of averting needless suffering and horrors and thus live the kingdom life in a world that is in drastic need of God. You can make a significant difference by delivering God’s hope in the needy places of this world. The world is expecting someone to give it hope. Let that person be you. Nevertheless, the starting point is choosing to live in total obedience to God’s word. Decide today to fully obey God in every aspect of your life.
Why not meditate on these bible verses as you begin your day – 1 Sam 15:22, 1 John 14:23-24, John 15:10-11
Prayer:
My Lord and Saviour, please open doors of opportunity for me and reveal your voice, your hand and ways though me in all I do today, so that your name can be glorified as lives are positively impacted for your kingdom. Amen.