Don’t forget who you are!
When my daughters were teenagers and going out with their friends, that’s the admonition I would give them.
So what did I mean? They knew. I meant don’t forget that you are not just an ordinary human being. You are a child of God. You are a light to shine in the darkness.
As their friends heard me say that, there would be jokes. “So you have trouble remembering who you are?” But my children knew what I meant.
I realize that this is one of the most important admonitions for every believer. Especially ones who have been called of God for a special mission.
It’s easy for us to forget who we are.
We go into the Secret Place with God and hear His call. His instructions. And they are always greater than we think they should be. They stretch us, if we are honest.
His call is never just what you could do in your own strength. His plans are always dependent on His favor and His Holy Spirit empowering us.
So what happens? (And if we are honest, I think that it happens to all of us.)
James says it well:
James 1:23-25 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the Word and does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.
Now that is true when we read the Bible.
It is also true when we hear personal directions from our Father God. The Holy Spirit will quicken us and give us assignments. Every minister knows what I am talking about. That personal call which you know is from God. To start a ministry or a project. Or to make some important changes.
We get directions, and our faith level is extremely high. We are so amazed at what our God is doing, and what He has impressed us to do. Inspired beyond belief!
Then we walk away and look around us. Our call seems impossible.
We aren’t capable of doing this. We don’t have the right connections. We don’t have the time. Or the finances. Or whatever else we can think of.
In fact, this idea is impossible – and it must have been our own idea.
So we take no action – and the dream fades.
We have forgotten what our Father said to us. The world has conformed us back into its mold.
So what is our answer? How do we fulfill our call? How do we do what our Father has said to do?
Take a step forward. Be a “Do-er of the Word” and not just a “Hearer.” A Do-er of Scripture and a Do-er of what your Father tells you to do.
It might seem hard to take action, so start small. Enlist the aid of your friends to pray for you and to stand with you.
Now when you first start a project your Father has commissioned, it won’t look like you thought it would. You saw in your vision something much bigger. More perfect. Yet these new beginnings are part of every venture with God.
Remember: What God has promised, He is able to perform. (Romans 4:21)
Yet you have to work with Him. Take your next step – regardless of how small. Write down what your Father spoke to you. Pray over it, and continue to run to your Father for His refreshing Word.
Then continue step by step to the fulfillment of what your Father has designed for you. The Holy Spirit will be working with you – with signs following.
You will be a Do-er of the Word – and not just a forgetful Hearer!
And you will remember who you are!
