I just HAVE to share this!  They are closing words from a recent sermon from Pastor Kevin Reich of Relevant Life Church in Salem, Oregon.  It tugged at my heart strings…and I have a feeling it’s going to speak to others as well.  The over-arching message:  God created us in His image.  With all our differences.  With all our quirky things.

He chose us – just the way He created us – to make an impact.  So what excuses have you been using?

If you are not living out your purpose what excuse have you been using?

Abraham was old.  Jacob was insecure.  Leah was unattractive.  Joseph was abused and put in prison.  Moses stuttered.  Gideon was poor.  Samson was co-dependent.  Rahab was immoral.  David had an affair and had all sorts of family problems.  Elijah was suicidal.  Jeremiah was depressed.  Jonah was reluctant.  Naomi was a widow and John the Baptist was eccentric.  Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered.  Martha worried an awful lot.  The Samaritan Woman had several failed marriages.  Zacchaeus was unpopular.  Thomas had doubts.  Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid.

Kevin was tall and gangly and insecure.  Phil came from a strict, Catholic background.  People come from addiction and brokenness and God says “I’ve designed you.  I’ve formed you and I’ve chosen you.”  He says “ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! Would you be what I called you to be?  Would you step into your identity?  Would you step into your purpose?”

Isaiah 61 (I know it’s about Jesus – but I believe it’s about us)… “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, to open the prisons of those who are bound.”

Yes, Jesus has done that and is doing that!  Amen!  But that same spirit, who raised Christ Jesus from the dead, will come and quicken your mortal body – thus sayeth the Lord, “You are anointed!  I have anointed you to proclaim the good news, to declare hope, to declare healing, to declare resurrection!  I haven’t sent you out into a world alone.”

What are you going to do about it?  How will you respond today?  How will you walk it out?

Will you go on day after day after day after day?  Are you going to make an impact?  God says “I’ve chosen you – I want you to make an impact.”

Just the way you are… no excuses.  – Pastor Kevin Reich