"We have not received the spirit of the world but the
Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given
us."
1 Corinthians 2:12
God desires for us to know what He has freely given to us. One of the
responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to reveal His plans and purposes
to us. They may be hidden for a time, but if we seek Him with our whole
heart, we can know what He has given to us.
John the Baptist understood this principle. When asked if he was the
Messiah, he replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from
heaven" (Jn. 3:27). John understood his role in the Kingdom of God. He
came to pave the way for the Messiah; he was not the Messiah himself.
His ministry on earth was very brief, yet Jesus described his life in
this way: " 'I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has
not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' " (Mt. 11:11).
Once we understand what God has given to us, we can walk freely in our
calling. However, if we strive to walk in a role that He never gave us,
it will result in frustration and failure. God wants to reveal His plan
to us by His Spirit. This requires a willingness to seek and accept what
He gives us. It may be different from what we thought. It may require
adjustments to follow His path for our lives. As we learn from the life
of John the Baptist, obedience requires death to our own wills.
Ask God to reveal what He has freely given to you. Pray that you receive
and embrace only those things He has reserved for you to receive and to
accomplish in your life. Then you can be assured of a life full of
meaning and purpose, and you can look forward to hearing those
all-important words someday, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."
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