Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31
“I know God put me on this earth for a special purpose!” “Who knows, I may be the next Billy Graham, Rick Warren or Beth Moore!”
Am I the only one who’s ever thought this?
I’m pretty sure God’s special purpose for me isn’t to be the next “anybody.”
He has plans that only I can fulfill.
But what if God’s purpose for me isn’t what “I” want it to be?
I wonder if the Merarites were disappointed when they were given their “special purpose”?
As we’ve learned in Exodus, the Levites were chosen by God to take care of the Tabernacle. Today we saw the Lord hand out duties for the different divisions of the Levites. All Merarites who were between the ages of 30 and 50 and eligible had one duty…one job…one ministry:
Their only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases; also the posts for the courtyard walls with their bases, pegs, and ropes; and all the accessories and everything else related to their use. Assign the various loads to each man by name. So these are the duties of the Merarite clans at the Tabernacle. They are directly responsible to Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.” –Numbers 4:31-33 (Emphasis mine)
What if my special purpose or your special purpose in life is to carry loads?
Not like the Merarites, who carried the pieces of the Tabernacle but carrying the loads of the hurting, lost, orphaned, or widowed of our families, churches, communities or world.
It took strong backs for the Merarites to hand-carry the Tabernacle each time God said, “It’s time to pack up and move.”
What does it take to carry the loads of the lost, hurting, orphaned, or widowed?
Here’s the questions God asked me today:
- Dianne, are you willing to carry the loads of the hurting?
- Are you willing to suffer so that you can truly understand the pain of others?
- Are you willing to walk a hard road so that your experiences will help someone who literally wouldn’t survive without you?
- Is another person worth that much to you?
These are very hard questions. I’m really glad God is carrying out His plans and purposes for my life without asking my permission. I most likely would have said, “No” to the hard times in my life, if I were given a choice. I’m just not that self-sacrificing.
Who do you know that needs a word of encouragement, a hot meal, some groceries, their house cleaned, to be taken to the doctor, to have a real friend?
Who do you know that needs someone to help carry their load?
Maybe, your purpose for today is to carry their load.
Heavenly Father, I want to carry the load of those who are suffering. Touch my heart. Make me willing. Give me eyes to see what You see!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 6:1-27; Numbers 10:1-36
I wanted to tell you my pastors wife has signed up several times in your email subscription but it doesn’t work. I foward her mine every day. Her email is wanda@fountainoflifechurch.net. Thank you. I am enjoying these emails so much. It brings understanding of the word.
Great word Dianne!
Might I say, “uuuugh”, so true! Love your insight into the Word.
Dianne,
Powerful word! Thanks for sharing.
Joyce