Chosen for the Surge
His Purpose vs. My Dream
Written August 2020, revised February 2022, revised December 2023 for the New Year 2024
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As Yeshua (Jesus) and His disciples walked from their last Passover feast together through the gates of Jerusalem toward the garden of Gethsemane, He said to them,
“I Am the Vine; you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) and He said,
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.” (John 15:16)
The original Greek word for appoint is tith’emi and means to place. Jesus chose you and placed you. We discover our placement by abiding in Him, because He is the only One Who knows the future. Our lives are an unfolding discovery of His plans that reflect the desire of His heart resulting in our joy. (See John 15:11)
I am not saying we will always be bubbling over with joy. Often, the path forward goes through dark valleys. If you are there, Yeshua calls, “Come to Me…” (See Matthew 11:28-20) Your place is to sit with Him, listen, and trust. If you don’t hear Him, then just sit with Him. Reach out to others and remember that no trial has come to you except what is common to mankind, and God is faithful; He will provide a way out so you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
The Ocean Surge
Years ago, I read a story about a woman whose small boat was caught in the ocean currents off the coast of the Philippines. No matter how hard she rowed, the ocean surges, like huge underground mammoths, swelled and heaved her in their own direction, until at last some fishermen rescued her.
As I look back on my life, I see it has moved with the vast ocean surges of God’s loving purpose. In the beginning of my new life with Him over forty years ago, I had certain hopes and dreams. But my little boat on the ocean swell took me elsewhere. I see now that every placement along the way was moving me forward in His purposes to bear eternal fruit – every job (boring or fulfilling), every boss (good or bad), working with children for six years, singleness until I was 45, and even the walks through deep valleys.
As we abide, He guides, and we bear eternal fruit. I knew back then that it was more important to love Him and to know His love for me than it was to be guided; the guidance would naturally follow. Proverbs 11:3a reads, “The integrity of the upright will guide them.” And although we sometimes falter or choose a wrong path, we are never out of His sight, and He causes all things to work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
We were chosen and appointed to go and bear eternal fruit! Yeshua said to His beloved disciples after His resurrection,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
With joy in Him,
Beth Ann