We could pick any name from the list of the great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Let’s look at Moses. He was born into slavery. His parents hid him for three months because there was a King’s (Pharaoh) decree that all baby boys under the age of two should be killed, and that the midwives were to instantly kill all boy babies born.

What an obstacle! The world was not a welcoming place for Moses. Just being born placed him at risk. Do you ever feel that your life is at risk at no fault of your own? Do you feel like someone is always out to make your life fail before it can even start?

I pray that the life journey of Moses will encourage you to believe God has a purpose for your life, that God orchestrates the process of your life, and that through practice you will be able to navigate the various seasons of your life. Let’s finish the life journey of Moses before we make practical application to our lives today.

Moses’ parents had faith that God would help them protect their son. By three months of age, it was becoming too hard to conceal his existence. God gave Moses’ mother (Jochebed) a plan. She saw the daughter of Pharoah everyday down by the river. Jochebed crafted a baby basket that could float and pushed it near to the princess.

The princess saw Moses and instantly fell in love with him and wanted to keep him for her own, even though she knew it was a Hebrew baby boy. God through seemingly ordinary events miraculously saved Moses through the first hurdle of his life’s journey. Jachebed was even hired to nurse Moses, because what self-respecting princess would breast feed a child.

While born a slave, Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s palace. Moses received the best of clothes, food, and education. A far cry from the life of the slaves from which he came. This portion of his life is not clearly described in the Bible. However, it becomes clear that Moses knew he was a Hebrew by birth, but was living a double life as royalty in the palace.

Somehow, Moses gained an idea that his purpose was to free his fellow Hebrew slaves. However, this was only the beginning of the process. Moses was young (40ish) and very impulsive. This impulsivity would be a life long struggle and a handicap that he would need to practice overcoming through obedience to God.

For a more detailed recap of Moses’ early years before the “Burning Bush” experience and his return to confront Pharoah by declaring God’s words, “Let My people go!” see Exodus 1-2.

The next 40 years of Moses’ life was a process to help him learn to hear the voice of God. The next 40 years after that was the practice of Moses learning to obey the voice of God even in the midst of turmoil.

Let’s now apply Moses’ Life Journey to our journey and see if there is anything that will place us in the Hall of Faith of modern day ordinary people who placed their lives in the care of an extraordinary God.

The Early Years

Every human is born into a family, a geographic location, and a situation that is not of their choosing. However, Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God declares over us, “I know the plans that I have for you, plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.” God spoke directly to Jeremiah (1:5), “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” That setting apart is God knowing the purpose placed within us. Psalm 139:13-18 is David repeating his understanding of God’s miraculous and intricate development of our human form.

In our early years we are raised with a certain level of clothing, food, education, and place of origin that shapes our later years. There are times our lives may be so traumatic that we cannot grasp the love of God and His planned good purpose for our lives. But, as we will see through Moses’ life journey, “It is never too late to adjust to the calling of God on our lives.”

The Young Adult

The young adult years formulate our distinct personality. Our character, strengths and weaknesses are formulated through the experiences we encounter. Left unchecked, these tendencies can become hindrances later in life. What a wonderful opportunity if we are raised in a Godly home, never break the law, never become addicted, and make all the right choices without fail.

I’m sure those people exist, but I know that I grew up in a Christian home and I’m not pleased to repeat the darker side of disobedience that caused heartache for me, my family, and most of all God. However, God’s gracious, quiet, loving pursuit followed me wherever I roamed. The younger we are to hear and obey God will save us unwanted baggage down the rest of our journey.

The Middle Aged

As we enter middle aged life, hopefully we have learned to be more disciplined. We are not tossed by every wave of emotion that comes our way. I believe this is where Moses had arrived sitting on the back side of the desert. He had time to reflect on his life journey so far and weigh the results of his actions and their consequences. Where are you in your contemplation and reflection of your life lived so far? We should not live in regret, but we can live with the intention to change our future choices. Romans 8:1-2 states, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

The Mature

Hopefully we have gained a better perspective of God’s calling and purpose in our lives as we become “mature.” Mature can be a relative age. While many think of mature as over the age of 50, mature is more of being able to live a life that is moderate and content in whatever state we find ourselves (Philippians 4:11-13). Moses at the age of 80 was hearing and obeying God consistently. And yet, some of those youthful faults mentioned earlier did haunt him even into maturity.

We can never let our guard down and think we have arrived. Staying vigilant in prayer and communion with God will help us better weather the storms of life in a gracious manner that produces Godly fruit and helps us avoid fatal consequences.

God told Moses to strike the rock many years earlier to provide the people with water, but this occasion was calling for a different method. Moses’ emotions took precedence over practice. Moses during his mature years had obeyed God and seen great results: the 10 plagues of Egypt, the release of the people from slavery, the parting of the Red Sea with the people crossing on dry land, while the enemy was drowned, the 10 Commandments, the manna and the quail, and countless other displays of obedience. But this disobedience cost Moses from completing his life journey into the Promised Land of God. He was able to look over and see it, but was unable to enter.

Reading Moses’ life journey and how his outburst of anger against the constant grumbling and complaining of the people caused him to strike the rock rather than speak to the rock as God had directed gave me pause to reflect. I don’t want a youthful flaw of my past to cause me to miss the ultimate plan and purpose of blessing that God intended since before I was born.

I pray that this look at Moses’ life journey and the seasons of his life help you reflect on where you are and on how well you are doing. Our ultimate desire for this life is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness“ (Matthew 25:23).

The post Moses: A Life Journey appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

Within that trek for success, individuals are also looking for that perfect spouse, the perfect house, and the perfect everything to fulfill their dreams.  However, I want to distinguish the concept of purpose.  Purpose is different from career or any token of success we may gather along the way.

Purpose is an inward longing that can only be fulfilled by letting it out.  But, how do you find that purpose?  Many individuals may live a lifetime and NEVER find their purpose.  Not having a purpose can lead to a life characterized by chasing after something and everything in an effort to satisfy a deep inner emptiness.

So much of our world today is on “speed-dial” and we miss the quiet moments to reflect on who we are and for what we have been created.  During the time our world was locked and sequestered away I spent much of my time reading, writing, and praying.  I found that the more time I spent seeking God rather than seeking the purpose, my purpose became apparent.  I reflected on my journey from childhood to adulthood and the opportunities and trials that I encountered.  I spent quite a bit of time looking at the path that God had guided me through.  That reflection revealed talents and tendencies that God planted within me before the foundation of the world.

The Bible states in Jeremiah 29:11 (God speaking), “I know the plans that I have for you.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

What I am learning is that God isn’t into always telling us the full plan up front.  If He did that, we wouldn’t need God.  We also might get impatient as children and ask, “Are we there yet?”  God gives us an adventure.  As we seek more of Him, He reveals more of us to ourselves.  I know that sounds weird, but God is a good God and He is a loving father.

Do you remember having the opportunity to play “Hide-n-Seek” or “Scavenger Hunt”?  Do you remember that whether you were the one hiding or the one seeking in either of those games, you were watching the faces of those with whom you were playing?  Everyone was thrilled for the unknown.

Have we ever thought about God as our Heavenly Father wanting to reveal to us our hidden treasure as we spend more and more time in His presence?  In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).  Our number one purpose is to “LOVE God with ALL our HEART, and lean NOT to our own understanding, and in all our ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct our path” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Path of God leads to purpose.  Our purpose is to become more like Jesus every day.  As we become “Christ-like” (Christians), then our purpose is to let our lives become a reflection of God Himself.  Our purpose is able to be fulfilled in whatever career we choose.  Whether we are a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a nurse, or a parent…our ultimate success is found in the outward expression of LOVE to the people we encounter every day.

Don’t get caught in thinking you have missed your purpose because you didn’t get the right job, finish the degree, or acquire the house with a picket fence and 2.5 kids.  Purpose is more than what you do as a profession; purpose is who you are as a person and how you “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Some of you will find that your purpose is demonstrated in acts of generosity.  Others will find your purpose in being a listening ear.  Purpose of God includes “seed planters” sharing the Good News and “harvesters” to usher in new believers to God’s Kingdom.  Purpose is more often found in the little nudges that are triggered in your heart after spending time with God.  The best way for you to really find your purpose is to ask God to reveal the purpose He had in mind for you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.  The Bible states in Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message Bible):

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

You formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

You know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

How I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

All the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

The Bible tells us that when we call upon God He hears us and is faithful to answer us.  However, remember, you probably won’t get a loud thunder clap…but a still small voice.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

FYI – a public affairs program with interesting people and hope-building projects around Ohio!
Have a question, comment, or topic? Contact FYI

The post What Is Your Purpose? appeared first on 93.7 The Light.

A Word From Lauren

Hey, dear ones. I am so grateful and thankful for you. I was able to be a part of a women’s event recently and we had the best time. Just being together sometimes with other people that are right where you are uplifts your spirit. I heard this amazing ministry piece called, “You Will Pray Like Never Before After Listening To These Words.” It’s motivation. It’s encouraging you and reminding you of how loved you are; how treasured you are. Not only that, but you are a warrior. God called you for such a time as this to do great things. If the enemy can keep us pent up, tied up, worn out, trodden down, then he just thinks that’s the funniest thing in the world. We have to look at him and say, “Not today. Not tomorrow. Not the next day. Not the next day. Not the next day.” This might help give you some power!

~Lauren

“Every problem has its purpose. Valleys are there for our character development; for the maturing of our faith, rather than our comfort. Everyone who experienced a miracle in the Bible had gone through their own valley experience. Job lost everything, but in the end he came out of that valley knowing that God can restore what was lost with a double portion. Those who were blind and could not see; those who were sick and lame; those who were paralyzed or struck with leprosy; they all came out of that valley experience knowing that God is a healer. For whatever trial you are facing today, I would like to encourage you that your valley experience is there to strengthen you and not to destroy you.”

Such a Time as This

If you aren’t familiar with the story of Esther, stop what you’re doing and go read it! It’s beautiful and epic and thrilling. You may have heard someone say, “you have been born for such a time as this.” That line is spoken to Esther by her cousin, Mordecai, who is encouraging her to do something brave and dangerous. When we are tempted to think the world is too bad of a place for us to make a difference, or that we’d be better off to close ourselves up in our homes and avoid everyone, we can remember these words. You were, in fact, created for this time in history to do what only you can do. 

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther 4.13-14

We hope you’re encouraged by this and feel empowered to keep on going!

FYI – a public affairs program with interesting people and hope-building projects around Ohio!
Have a question, comment, or topic? Contact FYI

The post Not Today appeared first on 93.7 The Light.