“Limping into your Legacy”
“Can God still use me?” That is a question most of us have asked along the journey of our life. Each of us has fallen short of perfection and it is tempting to believe we are ‘unusable’ because of our shortcomings. So let me ask you:
- Who do you think God will use?
- If it’s not you… then who?
- Who did Jesus give authority to – who did He leave in charge?
- When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying, “My part is over… now it’s your turn…”
Your legacy awaits but depends on your ability to walk with a limp. Will you let your limp to cause you to stumble again or will you embrace the possibility of greatness despite it?
Micah is the writing of a “vision” from the LORD. It is a series of 3 messages against the Northern and Southern kingdoms (the only prophet to do so). The three accusations against God’s people (Universal to all people) are; “Oppression of the poor by the rich, corrupt leaders of the nation, and finally – those who are spiritually depraved.”
Regardless of the accusations against the world – no matter how tattered it becomes, an elect remnant of chosen people will be forgiven and saved by God so as to triumph over Satan and his minions.
So who are the people God will use (who is the remnant)… Let’s begin with who they are not?
- There are not going to be the ones with the best acumen: 1 Cor 1:20 – “Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
- They won’t be the tallest or best looking: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “Do not look on his appearance of on the height of his stature… For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
- They won’t be the people who “think they are it”: Matthew 7:22-23 - “On that day many will say to me, “lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in you name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness.”
- Finally, they won’t be mainstream: Matthew 11:7-11 – Jesus spoke, “what did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? (someone easily molded by the expectations of the civilized) A man dressed in soft clothing? (someone who lives to impress).
So who will they be? What will they look like? How will you know them?
Micah 4:6-8
“In that day, declares the LORD, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion form this time forth and forevermore.”
Yes, contrary to the popular notion that “God is coming back for a prosperous, beautiful, and successful church”. The remnant, those who will be used by God to usher in His kingdom to earth will be the LAME. Literally, they will walk with a limp.
Why will they walk with a limp? Because, God has afflicted them. The idea is that God has allowed suffering and pain not to overwhelm them – but rather to remind them. God allows suffering and pain not in the sense that he “approves” of it… but rather in the sense that he has a purpose for it. Our job is to hang on.
Each of us will limp and suffer – 1 Peter 4:15-16 – “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
What’s he saying? We are going to suffer a measure of pain in our life (period). There is a dual message here; first, don’t do stupid and suffer because of it… but even deeper – “if you are a murderer, thief or criminal… you can stop suffering anytime. Yes, there are consequences… but suffering? That is up to you.
It’s like this, Let’s say I loose my ability to see because I chose to drive drunk and my face hit the windshield. Now because I can’t see I have a choice; First, I can choose to continue to suffer believing I am limited and have ruined my ability to be used by God – “I am getting what I deserved” Which is not a biblical – Jesus did not demonstrate this. Second, I can choose to stop suffering, accept my affliction and be used by God despite it.
If that suffering is because of sin (usually is), that suffering is going to be used against us to steal our destiny.
That is the intent of Satan. To remind you of your failure and your limp.
- “You’ll never recover from that.”
- “If you ever open your heart again it will be crushed like last time.”
- “How can you ever be trusted after what you have done – no one will ever trust you.”
Do you have a limp?
- This is not a contest about whose affliction is worse… This is about whether or not you are willing to embrace your limp and bring comfort to others who have been afflicted. This is about whether or not you are willing to be healed by God. It’s common to be deceived into thinking that somehow you “deserve this affliction”. It’s not so much whether or not you deserve it (Jesus did not deserve the pain he endured) it is whether you are able to be content in it
“…I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need,” – the secret is contentment - Philippians 4:12
Contentment is not “joyful exuberance”, it is not “elation or a prideful display” – contentment is a constant resolve of possibility despite what circumstances arise.
Let me ask you… can others see your limp?
If you’re still trying to hide your limp… Why? You believe you deserve it / Shame / fear / or it may be because you’re not ready to be healed.
Do you think that the remnant in the book of Micah tried to hide the fact that they were lame? In truth… they couldn’t.
ILLUSTRATION:
My Grandfather was lame (literally) – he hurt his back in WW2. Though he did not walk with a cane he suffered many days and as his grandson I could see it in his eyes. He did not use his pain as an excuse for poor behavior. He didn’t hide it from the perspective of shame or guilt – rather he tried to hide it because he did not want it to be a hindrance to living life fully – to fulfilling his destiny (playing with his grandchildren).
I used to joke about how he hurt his back – he drove his jeep into a pit because his base was under “lights out” policy and he could not see the massive hole. But now… as I consider his limp I don’t joke about it any more.
Was he grateful for his bad back… I would say yes. Why? Because it was a constant reminder of his willingness to serve his commanding officer – of his willingness to follow orders despite fear.
You see – when he entered the army he made a commitment to stay the course and follow orders… and he did… even when he could not see what was ahead. Because of his willingness to stay the course - When he died he was buried in the national cemetery in Minnesota – full honors.
You see, each of us has a limp. The question is; have you determined to follow orders.
Today, are you walking with a limp? Let me tell you – that’s OK. It’s OK to walk with a limp as long as you don’t let it steal your destiny. God will keep on guiding you with His counsel to lead you.
Because of your limp there may be perceived limitations that you or society have placed on your life: A limp is not a limitation.
- In Christ there are no limitations… all things are possible.
Adultery = Rahab and David.
Paul = accessory to murder
Extortion = Matthew
Jacob (the “deceiver”) was lame. (Genesis 32:24-29) He wrestled with God all night and despite having his hip dislocated he held on until he received His blessing from God and fulfilled his destiny. Jesus fulfilled His destiny with a limp; hands nailed to a cross, side pierced by a spear, head bleeding, back laden with wounds. If anyone had an excuse to let go… Jesus did.
But he didn’t; “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame…”
What was the joy set before him? YOU! He saw you and that brought him joy. For a moment close you eyes and imagine seeing the eyes of Jesus.
· No condemnation, no ridicule, no disappointment.
· What do His eyes say, “Hold on… your limp is only temporary – your destiny is eternal.”
Jacob was lame the rest of his life after his encounter with God. Every time he walked he was reminded of that night. He didn’t let his limp prevent him from fulfilling his destiny for God. He became a great nation and we are his descendants.
He held on to his faith, and at the end of his life… as he was dying… he reached out, placed his hands on his sons and blessed them… ALL THE WHILE LEANING ON HIS STAFF. (Hebrews 11:21) So what is your limp?
Why am I telling you this?
Because the world is looking for a group of people who limp… but their limp is not their limitation.
There are some here ready to let go – we want to pray for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment