Set Apart

“It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are.  But it is absolutely vital to grasp that He didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.” – Francis ChanToday, we need a fresh anointing.  A renewed perspective.  I’m fearful that we are growing stale in our excitement and zeal for passionate living.  I don’t mean we stand on the street corner and scream through a bullhorn “Turn or Burn!”  No, I’m talking about a much deeper soul anointing than that superficial zeal.  I’m talking about soul zeal.  I’m talking about a steadfastness and assurance of living a passionate life engaged in our surroundings and undeterred to feel, experience and grow from all that God is revealing.  I’m fearful in the age we live in that there are so many distractions and “sparkly” things that can catch our eyes and attention that we never really commit to soul growth anymore.  We never fully release ourselves to the investment in building a life.  We just try to grab one and hold on for dear life.  God desires more for us, and taking the challenge of consecrating every part of your life is a step in the right direction.  Where are the lives lived in holy sanctification?  Not self-righteous bigotry, but depth of soul and character.  Where are those ladies for myself and my daughters to look up to?You know what I think?  I think they are hiding behind years of books and study guides scared to death. Read a blogger that put it this way one time “I think they and we are hiding because we are afraid we will be stoned without even being given the chance to try to make a profound difference on our culture and generation.”  I couldn’t agree more.  I think we are terrified to be set apart for God.  Because the truth of the matter is that being set apart means being different.  Different makes people nervous.  I’m not suggesting we start following more rules; no this is not about rules.  And this isn’t about creating justification for being judgemental or legalistic.  No, this is about living free lives surrendered wholly and completely to God.  I’m suggesting that we become set apart and known for our extravagant love toward God and others.  That we liberate ourselves to live fully beneath the radiance of Christ’s light and love and in turn set others free.   As we grow in our Biblical understanding of what being set apart means and create a burning desire to be holy because God has invited us into the fellowship of His Divine Name for Himself, into His Holiness, we should deepen our roots in depth of life that extends well beyond immediate gratification or the lust for approval.  It should invoke such a craving for God that it becomes second nature to seek His face.Come, Holy Spirit, into our greatest needs and give us a revelation of Jesus.  Give us a love relationship with Jesus so strong that we cannot resist Him.  Grant us a strong sense of hope to believe God for His promises.  Come; give us a sense of our personal value in Christ.  Plant in us God-given vision for Your calling on our lives.  Give us favor with God and with man.  I pray blessings.  I choose to be a blessing.  We yield all of us to all of You, King Jesus. ~Amen