05/18/2016
"While reading last week in Genesis on the story of the flood, God began to show me some things I wanted to share. As the water subsided and new growth covered the earth, it was time for Noah and his sons to leave the safety of the Ark. As they were going, God gave them one command: "Be fruitful and increase in number; multiply and fill the entire earth." If you read through the number of kids each of the boys had, and the number of kids their kids had; you can see they took up the task with great vigor! Fast forward a few generations and you find what their kids are up to: "Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there." Gen 11:1-2. Notice what the descendants of Noah did. Instead of filling the entire earth as God directed, they decided to stop and settle. In fact, they said to each other “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Gen 11:4. They lost site of the mission and began to focus on themselves. God had been clear: "Fill the earth". Instead, they had chosen to avoid being "scattered over the face of the earth.” They had chosen comfort and safety over the unknown results of following God. He wanted them to move, to find a bigger adventure, to go out and conquer the world for Him and His purposes. Their plans stood in direct opposition to God’s plan. "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.' So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city." Gen 11:7-8. Now let me say that, building a city, or a business, or an organization is not a bad thing. It just was not the best thing. It was not God’s plan for their lives. God began to show me how many times in my own life I have become confused about where I should be going, or what I should be doing. He reminded me how often the people around me no longer made sense and I had no place among them. And then I was reminded of where God has taken me. He reminded me of how much better trusting His plan is verses chasing what I thought I wanted. I look back now and I thank God that though I chose to "settle", He had something better for me to do. He had a better place for me to go. He had a better purpose for me, a bigger mission, and a greater adventure. I thank God that He loved me enough to not leave me where I settled. So the real question is, what are you building? Are you only making a name for yourself? Are you afraid to be "scattered" out of a place of comfort or "known discomfort”? Have you felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit, yet allowed fear to keep you where you are? If you can relate at all, just know that whatever is waiting out there for you, God has something great planned for you. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. Don't settle out of fear. Don't settle for comfort. Listen to God’s voice and follow in obedience. This is the only way that you will fully see the blessing He has in store for you."
