In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. ~ Genesis 1:1

That’s all I needed to read this morning before my heart began to stir with the realization that I was a part of something much, much bigger. It often dumbfounds me the way way that God has allowed me to be used. I didn’t do anything to deserve it. I fail Him to the point that I feel like He should write me off. I was an odd child and I’m even odder as an adult, yet… He still uses me. 

In studying the word of God this morning I travel a little further into the Old Testament to the history of the tribe of the Levites. The least among the children of Israel, numbering only 22,000. The tribe that God set aside for his own use, serving specific duties for the Israelites as well as educational responsibilities. And in return for their service, God expected the other tribes to support their efforts for singing and playing music in the temple, serving as guards and other duties in the service of God. God could have chosen some of all the tribes to take care of His work, but He chose only the Levites. He said in  Numbers 3:12

And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

I felt that way this morning as I read His word and thought about the responsibility God had placed on my life as a writer, speaker, singer, teacher, all in the service of the King. All of which I fail miserably. I am the least of who God should have chosen to serve Him, yet, just as Be said of the Levites, it was His choice. He created us. Yes, we are products of our parent’s love as physical beings, but not the soul. Not that which connects with God. 

When God created the Heaven and the Earth He created a purpose. He wasn’t sitting in eternity have arts and craft with His angelic creations, He specifically designed the earth and all that resides on it with purpose. I cannot help but share my favorite verse in Jeremiah 1:5 where God tells us:

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Of course in that verse He is speaking to Jeremiah, but the God of Jeremiah is the God of Shari too! And before I was in my momma’s womb, God knew me. The soul that is within me has met God and I too have purpose. Although all of Israel were God’s chosen vessels, he selected this smaller group to do the Spiritual work on earth. 

As I prepare my heart his Sunday morning for church, I can’t help but think of what a service would have looked like for the Levites in those early days and how most of that has changed, but some has not. Worship has never stopped being an integral part of the Lord’s Day experience. 

An Attitude of Gratitude

Colossians 3:15-17 KJV

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

What a joy to serve in the Kingdom of God. To sing, teach and encourage the body of Christ. While most do not serve in what we deem “full time” ministry how can we call it anything but? If, as children of God, we understand our role, whether that is to serve at the physical church, or serve as the church body in the jobs or in other secular roles, we should recognize that we are called just as the Levites were. What a privilege to serve the Creator. He who created Heaven and Earth. Just as He spoke the world into existence, He spoke purpose into your soul. Isn’t that an amazing thought?! Be grateful you are chosen.

A Vision with Provision

When God set the Levites aside, he ordered Moses to have the remainder of the children of Israel to provide for the Levites everything they needed to survive. If they were going to be in charge of the services of God, He was going to provide their food, their money, their daily essential needs and the provision of all things Spiritual and physical. He would give them the vision they needed to serve the Spiritual needs of the God’s children and in return the children would provide for them. 

Sharing the word of God isn’t a job to be taken lightly. I doubt the Levites were celebrating the “easy” days that were ahead. No, think about what they went through as time and time again,  Israel strayed away from God’s intended purpose. The Levites were those whom God had trusted to share the Word of God and conduct services. But Israel at various times were out serving gods made by hands and giving sacrifices of children and other wicked and vile behavior. I cannot fathom what those servants of God would have done realizing how wicked God’s chosen had become under their watch care? Is it any different today for the leaders of the church? 

Where is the vision? 

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

We’re not under the law, but the law is not void. And those who study and try to live the word of God, are happy! Another provision of being an obedient child of God is happiness. It’s not derived from physical things, but rather spiritual.  However, serving God is not a bed of roses and there is an expectation that leaders lead. Many do. But many don’t. They missed the memo from God that said they were responsible for keeping God’s original vision alive and exciting. 

Put the Dead to Bed

Luke 9:59-62 KJV

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. [61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Jesus wasn’t being rude when He told the man to let the dead bury the dead. He did not mean for us not to take care of family matters. But He meant that there were priorities in life, and the number one priority is the Kingdom of God. Nothing on this earth matters without that in the forefront. Because without eternal life, this short life is a blip on the radar screen and the remainder of eternity spent in the fires of Hell for those who don’t know Christ. 

This is why we need to put dead religion to bed and start living our life to the fullest as children of God. Sharing the salvation of Jesus Christ, first and foremost! Serving in the houses of God in the manner that God intended with worship, passion gratitude for the opportunity. 

In the beginning God created the Heavens and earth.

In the middle Christ created wisdom of the Spirit to lead us

In the end times God will recreate the original plan 

In the eternal life we’ll understand it all and it’s going to be BIG!

God is Good. I pray you have a church that is ALIVE & WELL this morning.