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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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