Meant To BE!

I loved those commercials where kids would say, I want to make it all the way to middle management or I want to file all day, be replaced on a whim, be a yes man, yes woman, yes sir, be underappreciated, be paid less for the same job, forced into early retirement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88JRvXzytec

Most children have some ideas, but how many grow up to actually fulfill them? Jesus did. In Isaiah 49:1-7, we once again take a look at this Servant of the Lord as recorded by the prophet Isaiah. We see that Jesus knew exactly what he wanted to be and do when he grew up. It wasn’t something he had to think about or grow into. No, as Paul tells, “this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” 2 Timothy 1:9

Isaiah tells us, “Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver” Before time began, Jesus was chosen to be the Savior of the world.

Yes, as God laid the foundations of the earth, he knew it would cost him the life of his Son, and yet he did it anyway. How great is God’s love for us! May God’s love for you in Christ continue to be our motivation to let our light shine.


There was never any doubt in Jesus’ mind when it came to his mission and purpose in life. Even as a twelve year old boy we see him in his Father’s house faithfully carrying out his Father’s business, telling his worried sick parents, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jesus was always about his Father’s business as he once told his disciples, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world….Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Scripture records the great lengths to which Jesus was willing to go to save people who were lost like you and me. He sought us out even when we had no realization we were being pursued, but that is the kind of Saviour we have. He pursues us passionately and as John 17:23 states, ‘I in them and you in me all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me! NLT

We all too easily lose sight of that and how much God holds on to us..Jesus places us there by His sacrifice and no one can snatch us out of His hands. John 10:28

The calling of Jesus v3,4

Was there ever a more faithful and dedicated Servant of the Lord than Jesus? No. And if we’ve ever thought that things we do must bring us pretty close, the prophet Isaiah reminds us, “even our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” 64:6

The amazing thing here is that we bring Christ glory. As we become children of God though confessing, believing and accepting Christ, we bring Him glory. It is fulfilled in John 17:10 as glory has come to Him through us. We are His glory. What an amazing truth.


The mission of Jesus v5,6

To make Him a light to the nations, to throw off the blinders of the enemy
Even Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, was tempted to despair. In our text he tells us, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.” Jesus worked day after day, week after week, month after month doing his Heavenly Father’s work. Preaching, teaching, going without food, without sleep, without rest and relaxation. Thankfully, many repented and turned back to God. Unfortunately, many more didn’t.

The first year of his ministry found very few people knowing who he was.

The second year of his ministry found a popularity explosion as many more sought him out, even though it might have been more for the miracles than the message.

The third year of his ministry found many people rejecting him because he hadn’t lived up to their expectations. After telling people he was the Bread of Life and the only way to heaven, John tells us, “many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ From this time on many turned back and no longer followed him.” When Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave too, it was Simon Peter who answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

But in his humanity, it must have felt all useless. They celebrated Him, Hosanna, the one who saves on Palm Sunday and now they want him crucified. He is not the ruler they were hoping for, yet Jesus did leave it all in God’s hands when He said ‘not my will, but thine be done’

Chosen by God v7

He was chosen to be despised and rejected but God had a much larger plan for Him.

We are the people whose lives have traveled along some rather sinful and unpleasant paths. We are the ones He died for, those whose lives find them living with shame and guilt for what they have or haven’t done in life.

It is for people like you and me of whom the Lord says, “I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”

We are chosen

He, the faithful LORD, the Holy One of Israel chooses us. Wow!

Through Christ’s death and resurrection all of our sins have been forgiven, eternal life in heaven is ours, and our names have been written in God’s book of life, the who’s who list of who will be in heaven.

Our reason and motivation to continue to let our light shine no matter how dark it might get is because He challenged us, “you are the light of the world…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Through faith in Jesus, we are not only children of God, we have the privilege of being part of God’s work! Even though we might feel that our labor in the Lord is sometimes in vain.


We have a mission

Ever feel frustrated and disappointed because people didn’t seem to be listening to you? Ever feel that your labor in the Lord seems to be in vain? Jesus knows how you feel. But what Jesus experienced at times didn’t lead him to quit or throw in the towel, rather it strengthened him to say, “what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with God.” Whether it’s sharing God’s Word with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and the like. Whether it’s doing the work God calls us to do here at Good Shepherd or in life, the apostle Paul reminds us, “our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Our labor in the Lord won’t always bring immediate results. How God blesses our labor is ultimately up to him, but he promises that he will bless our labor according to his will and his will is always best.


We are called!


We are called to use our gifts, talents and blessings to minister in His name. We are His hands and feet.

It all started us long before we knew it…it was a mission from birth.

Psalm 139:13-16 In light of this, stop guessing and start living with purpose, intentionality and focus on His still small voice for His leading!