I love how God leads us.  I was slow getting on the internet this morning because God captured all of my attention.  When I asked Him where He wanted me to read this morning, He told me Ezra 2.  That chapter is filled with nothing but a list of all the captives of Babylon that returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, etc.  At first, I confess, I was disappointed and thought my hearing was off.  But verse 2 grabbed my attention immediately.  

¹ Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, everyone unto his city;

2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: Ezra 2:1-2 KJV

Three men in that list stood out.  Nehemiah and Mordecai—have you heard these names before? (smile) And, Jeshua, that name I did not know. 

I did some digging and found that he was the High Priest who led Israel to return to celebrating the feasts and re-established the Davidic system of 24/7 worship.

So, I asked the Lord, “What do You want me to see in this?”

He said, “The gifts and callings I put on people continue regardless of their circumstances.  Captivity did not abolish their callings.  These were men of honor, respected by the people and by Me.”

This may or may not resonate with you. It touched me deeply!!  In complete vulnerability, I confess that moving from California to Missouri 7 years ago shut down my usual way of sharing the gifts and calling God’s given me.  The freedom to speak to congregations and do in-depth teaching was no longer available.  This, plus my husband’s illness and his need for care, limited my usual pattern of life.  Even though I kept writing and doing some limited teaching in small groups, I felt ‘put on a shelf,’  and sad.

There is a oneness I experience with the Lord when I am teaching and speaking that I don’t feel any other time.  I celebrate what He is doing.  I can see His Spirit at work in the people who are receiving.  It is my place of joy.  I love turning people on to God and His word. A large percentage of those times were missing.

I saw in this passage that Nehemiah and Mordecai held prominent roles during the time of captivity.  When they returned to Jerusalem, they returned to servant roles of lesser visibility. Their callings didn’t change—they were still serving the Lord, but in different capacities.

He went on to tell me…There is never a reason to be discouraged.  You are about your Father’s business, and I am providing all you need day-by-day to fulfill My will.  Trust Me.  Walk with Me. I am doing a new thing, do you not perceive it? (smile)

Though the pace seems slower, I am with you.  Let your mourning over the seeming loss be thrown into the depths of the sea. Let your mourning turn to dancing.  You are walking with the King of all kings and LORD of all lords.

I read on in Ezra, and came to Ezra 3:11. 

And they (the people of Israel) sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD:

“For He is good. For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”

In prayer, I thanked the Lord for His mercy and goodness to me. 

My life verse is Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

But sometimes I forget whose life I am living.  How about you? 

You may feel hindered in the role you are living right now.  You may be discouraged.  The enemy loves to convince us that we are not doing enough.  We are failing at fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.

However, God is leading, and if we are following, His plans are being fulfilled even if we don’t see it.  Let’s rest in His love, trust Him, and enjoy the adventure.

Much love my friends.

Shalom ♥

*Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay