Episode 09: It’s Your Choice

Recently I was in full lesson prep-mode for kids church and the lesson was essentially this. It’s your choice to decide if you want to follow Jesus’ call on your life or not. The main characters in our episode today are: Moses, Gideon, Mary, and Peter.

Each of these people had a moment; an encounter with God where they were called to do something that was beyond them and they all had a different response. But the outcome was the same: they all did it. I’m getting ahead of myself, so welcome to Episode 09! Wowza, one more episode and I’ll have aired ten episodes in three years…I would say that’s sad, BUT it’s not! That’s impressive for being a mom and working full time. Go me. lol. 

Moses

Let’s start with Moses. The Prince of Egypt himself. He ran away from his life of royalty and murder, got hitched, and is now a shepherd. Well, he’s shepherding in the desert and bam a bush catches on fire. Nothing new for Mr. Moses, it happens all the time. However, this bush ain’t turning to ash. He’s obviously curious, so he investigates. Well, the bush talks back. Talk about freaky. But, really it’s God showing up, telling him to remove his sandals because he’s standing on Holy Ground. Then God calls Moses to be the deliverer and messenger to the people of Israel. Here’s his response. “No way! Choose someone else!” And he gives all of these excuses why he’s not qualified.

Bro, if God is calling you to do something, what makes you think you’re not qualified? 

An example from my own life: I was hired at the law firm I now work for in January of 2023 to be the office assistant. To sum it up: I sat up front, greeted people, and managed inventory and mail. I was basically a glorified front desk receptionist. Well after 9 months I was given an opportunity to do a job I was not qualified for. Didn’t even go to school for, but my boss saw something in me and knew it would be the perfect fit for me. (To put your mind at ease, this was not a Suits moment; I am not a lawyer.) Do you think I told him no? No, I didn’t! I said, “I prayed about it and I have peace. I accept.” And, a year later, “ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, I’m lovin’ it.” It’s a challenge, don’t get me wrong, and the lack of windows and sunlight is sad, but it keeps me busy, which is a plus. It’s blessed my family in more ways than one, and has just been a blessing all around. If I said no I would be missing out.

It’s the same principle here: if God is calling you, YOU’RE QUALIFIED! And know there are blessings around the corner. That’s the beauty of 1) Favor 2) God being in control. 

Gideon

The mighty man of valor. The man from the weakest clan in all of Manasseh. Oh, and the least in his entire family. Let’s not forget that. Well, Gideon doesn’t know that Jesus, The Messiah, will one day say that the least important shall become the greatest. 

The Angel of the Lord commissions Gideon to rescue Israel from the hands of the Midianites whom they have been oppressed and reduced to starvation for seven years. He goes on to say that it will be like fighting one man. That should be encouraging! But, Gideon doubts and continually asks for three signs to be fulfilled to prove that what God said is true. Well, God is faithful and patient, slow to get angry, and because of this He fulfills all three. Even more, when it’s time to fight, The Lord prompts Gideon to go down into the camp to hear what the Midianites are saying (a dream and its interpretation), God promises Gideon that he will be greatly encouraged and eager to attack. 

And that’s what happens. Gideon is encouraged and attacks, and with the Lord’s Sovereign hand, defeats the Midianites. All with 300 men. 

Even when you doubt, you think you’re insignificant, or unqualified, but you have a willing and obedient spirit, God can use you. All for His glory, of course. 

It’s God’s track record: using those who think they’re insignificant or unqualified but have obedient and willing spirits to do great and mighty exploits for the Lord’s renown. We’ve seen it now with Moses & Gideon. Who’s next?

Mary

The very mother of Jesus. Her story is simple yet complex. She was but a wee lass (aka a young teenager) who was approached by an angel that told her she would be the mother of The Messiah by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Meaning, Jesus wasn’t born out of human plan or passion. She was betrothed (engaged) to a man named Joseph who wanted to divorce her.

History fact: back in those times a betrothal agreement was signed and basically meant they were married, but not a consummated marriage.

We know that an angel appears to Joseph and tells him not to divorce her that it’s by the Holy Spirit that Mary is pregnant. So, Mary is engaged, a virgin, and now pregnant. Prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz is fulfilled. “Look! The virgin shall conceive a child.”

But, I’ve gotten ahead of myself. Mary was confused by the Angel’s news because she was a virgin. But her heart posture was still “May the Lord do as He wills.” Much different than Zechariah three months earlier. “I’m old. My wife is old. You’ve gotten it wrong, Gabriel.” Boom, mute for nine months. 

She let the Lord know she was confused, but still accepted His plans for her life. She doesn’t have much else to her story other than the very important task of raising Jesus (fully God & fully man) and encouraging Him to step into His calling. 

How hard that is for mothers today!? I know it’s hard for me right now because I’ve got a son who is wicked smart, has been called out prophetically that God’s got a special plan for his life, and yet, my husband and I don’t know how to guide him other than in daily life. I say this next part loosely, but it was easy for Mary because she knew Jesus was The Messiah. She might have had thoughts like those around her about how He was supposedly going to step into His role. But we don’t know and I don’t like to speculate. However, we do know that she never remarried after Joseph passed away because Jesus gave her away to John while He hang dying on a cross. 

Even then she probably didn’t understand the plan, because she did have other sons (James), but went along with what her Lord and Savior said. 

She’s a pretty remarkable woman. 

Peter

Finally, we get to Peter. One of Jesus’ inner circle, in the top three, no less. The one who cut off Malchus' ear. The slow runner, and the one who denied him three times after saying he would never in a million years deny Jesus. 

Whelp, Peter, ya did. But, you too, have a redemption story. Your yes, turned into no, turned into a confident yes unto death. 

We know Peter denied Jesus three times. And afterward he felt pretty down in the dumps about it so he reverted back to what he knew best: fishing. This is where we see Jesus appear on the scene. Quite literally. 

They’re out fishing, not catching anything. Just like when Jesus appeared to Peter the first time, a man suddenly calls out to him and six other disciples asking if they’ve caught anything. The answer is: no. He tells them to cast it onto the other side. They are overrun with fish at this point. Why? Because the Lord spoke. John realized it was Jesus & he said so to Peter. 

Peter’s enthusiasm for the Lord prompts him to abandon the other disciples he’s with, booking it for the beach where Jesus is. There is other meat in this passage, but I don’t want to get sidetracked from this point I’m cruising with the Lord on right now. Look out for it in another episode *wink, wink*. 

After they’ve eaten breakfast, Jesus turns to him and asks him three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Notice, He’s not calling him Peter, but Simon. Why? I have no idea! But I’m gonna find out and bring it up in the episode I hinted at just a moment ago. Why? Because it’s fascinating and the Bible is full of mysteries to discover! 

Anyway! Each time, Peter gets a little more hurt but answers Him truthfully, “Yes, Lord. You know I do.”  And each time, Jesus reminds him of the true calling on his life: to be a fisher of men, not people. To feed Jesus’ flock with spiritual food, not Earthly food. 

You see, when we doubt our calling and qualifications in the middle of us living that calling out, God isn’t surprised. He goes ahead of us to prepare the way and remind us of what we should be doing for Him. Peter disqualified himself from being a follower of Jesus after denying Him, but God doesn’t disqualify us when we mess up. That’s the devil’s business and I 100% am for-sure confident that God is not about Satan’s business, but His own business. And that’s building up the Kingdom, not tearing it down. 

A word of warning though, if you disqualify yourself and continue to walk in that mindset, God will look for another willing vessel to complete His mission. Because, honestly, when we disqualify ourselves, the mission then becomes about us, not God. 

Sheeeew, that hits. I’m not ashamed to admit that. Mic drop. Call in the Calvary because I’m slain. LOL. 

Let’s continue to be encouraged by these real people with real emotions and relatability from thousands of years ago. God made us, He knows us. He understands how we’re going to respond. And He also understands the way to encourage us to get back up and continue working and serving Him out of love and reverence. 

So, don’t disqualify yourself from God’s call on your life just because you have doubts or don’t have the same skills as others. It’s all relative in the Lord’s eyes, because He’s always been looking at the heart of the person He calls and will continue to do so until He returns. It’s never been about the outward appearance, the skills; the fans or the following; and definitely not about our wallets. 

And just because I don’t have biological children yet does not disqualify me as a mom, both naturally and spiritually. And it sure as heck doesn’t disqualify you either. The call on my life right now is to be a mom to River, a spiritual mom to a bunch of kids at church, and a distant friend to a bunch of y’all. 

Peace out, friends.