The families of Levi however were not counted among the others.
Numbers 1:47
Numbers. Just seeing the name of the book makes me not want to read it and I'm a numbers kind of girl. I just would rather calculate them than read them. This morning I read the first two chapters of Numbers. I read with expectancy. I have long believed God speaks through all scripture. He even promised us He would in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God did not disappoint.
Nestled among counts of the various tribes of Israel is this statement. "The families of Levi however were not counted among the others." God gave Moses precise instructions concerning a census of the people. Those instructions included the Levi not being counted.
The Levi were the priests - the church leaders of the day. There was no need to count them because God calls the precise number of individuals He needs to fill the roles He has for them. I sometimes struggle with this truth.
I want to be used by God. I want Him to do big things for His kingdom in and through me. Sometimes I see others get assignments I wish I had.
Does that ever happen to you?
Do you secretly long to use your interior design skills to decorate for big church events?
Do you sing in the choir but wish you'd be asked to do a solo?
Do you desire to use your gift of organization to streamline a messy ministry?
We can spend our time counting the numbers God's given a particular job to do or we can change the tone of our heart so God can count on us.
On days when I wrestle with God's assignments for me, I open my calendar and give my time over to Him - not fifteen minutes or a few hours. I give Him my day and ask Him to use me where He needs me. He knows the needs of His church and His people.
Today I want to be counted among the number listening to the whisper of God and experiencing the joy of serving Him. Wherever. Whatever. God, you can count on me.
Hi Shannon - this is so true, I love how you say you just open your diary and offer your day to God. Great advice, great encouragement.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Thanks, Tracy. How are you? Been missing you!
DeleteShannon, this was beautifully written! I'm so thankful to be counted in God's kingdom. He is using me now and preparing me for future ministry. Just between you and me (and all the other ladies reading right now), I want to be a "Joyce Meyer"! :) Thanks for sharing a little of what God is showing you! -Blessings to you, Amy
ReplyDeleteLove your true confession! I for one am glad you're you...you're even better than Joyce Meyer!
DeleteAwesome post, Shanda. A lot to think about there.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Kelly. :)
DeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDelete"He knows the needs of his church and his people"... what an encouraging thought, huh?
Have a great day.
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
When I'm tempted to think I need to intervene, I need to remember He's got it!
DeleteHi Shannon, I too want to be counted among the number listening to the whisper of God and experiencing the joy of serving Him. Great post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...Chelle
Chelle, I have no doubt you will be!
DeleteShannon, what a beautiful message you've brought to your blog today! Thanks for making me curious enough to go back and read Numbers in greater depth. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how God can bring insight out of any passage.
DeleteMorning Shannon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post full of truth. Both of my children are grown and have been out of our home for years, all of my friends went back to work, and many times I have thought about doing it too, just because it can get lonely not having any buddies to do something with at times, but the Lord has made it clear to me that is just not his plan for me,
and that He clearly wants my availability to do His bidding, it could be blogging, it could be a phone call from a soul in distress or in need of encouragement, might be needed prayers for the family, friends or church members, or taking someone somewhere they need to go, or sending ecards or reg. cards of encouragment,
or opening my home, and it might not be anything other than my
regular household routines, but it is His choice, not mine.
God's whispers are the BEST...............
Blessings hon,
Nellie
Nellie, I love how you recognize that at any age we can be tempted to "follow the crowd" but you're standing with the best crowd - living for an audience of One!
DeleteShannon, so true. I pray to be Spiritually empowered to do something that will let someone else know that He lives. I was so blessed by this.
ReplyDeleteOh wow I love this "empowered to do somethings that will let someone else know that He lives". That's the stuff of greatness, my friend!
DeleteI want to listen to His whisper also!!
ReplyDeleteKim, His whisper is so evident in your life!
DeleteOh, I love this. I'm definitely envious of other people's callings at times, particualrly when they line up with what I want mine to be:)
ReplyDeleteI love idea of "being counted" that you brought out of Numbers. This is such a great post:)
Thanks Audry. You are such a sweetheart!
DeleteShannon,
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment on my post "Awake and Thirsty," I agree. Reading others' good writing gets me thinking, pondering and writing more as well. Who are some of your top five favorite bloggers to inspire you?
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
You have inspired me to answer this in a blog post so keep a look out... :)
DeleteThis is great! We have to satisfied with the portion God has given to us. There will we find our contentment in whatever He asks of us... whether it is up front or behind the scenes...:)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! God's place for me is perfect and brings such satisfaction!
DeleteGreat post! I was just talking to my wife yesterday about how God is using the both of us through the coarse of my illness. He is preparing us for a special Ministry that He has hand crafted for us. What is so amazing is that it's not about us it's about letting people know that He lives!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how God brings ministry out of suffering?
DeleteGreat post! I was just talking to my wife yesterday about how God is using the both of us through the coarse of my illness. He is preparing us for a special Ministry that He has hand crafted for us. What is so amazing is that it's not about us it's about letting people know that He lives!
ReplyDeleteI love your take on counting. Speaking of counting, I wasn't counting on the fact that I've logging in with a profile that connects people to blogs that I haven't updated in six years! How sweet are you to comment on a post that old. LOL! Hopefully this will take you to my current blog. So looking forward to hearing more of your devotional thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, our internet imprint is quite a lasting one, isn't it?
Delete