Day 4: Identity & Calling

You yourselves can testify that I said,
”I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.”
John 3:28 NIV

Preparing the heart

As we begin our time of prayer & fasting, let us allow the words of Jeremiah 1:5 to speak to you:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Take time to pause right now.
Do not hurry.
Breathe slowly.
Let the words speak to you.

God’s words to Jeremiah reveal deep truths about ourselves and who God is. How does that resonate with you? What is your response?

—

Dear God, nais kong mamalas ka sa mga sandaling ito. I long for you. I need you. I desire to meet You! Tulungan mo ako na mag-focus sa Iyo lamang. Mangusap ka sa akin o God. Maging personal ka sa akin o Lord. Bless me oh Lord with Your powerful and sweet presence.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Time of reflection

John the Baptist was a very grounded person. He had a deep sense of self awareness, with a secure idea of his identity and calling. As his followers grumbled, John the Baptist appeared unrattled with his decreasing influence and popularity. Sa mga nag-aalala niyang alagad, ito ang kanyang sagot; “You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.” [John 3:28] 

“I am not the Christ.” John the Baptist fully knows who he is not. He knows he is not Jesus Christ. But he knows who he is. Alam ni John the Baptist kung sino siya. And of this we can be sure about him. John the Baptist is secure in his identity and calling that he received from God. It is of great importance to note that John the Baptist even while in his mother’s womb had a call and a purpose set by God. He was called to go before Jesus and prepare the way for his coming. [Lk 1:13-17].

This God-given identity and calling shaped John the Baptist’s life. It kept him steadfast. Kapag secure ka sa iyong identity and calling tulad ni John the Baptist, you will be able to refuse the trappings of comparison and competition. Pero ang mga hindi secure sa kanilang identity, hindi yan magpapatalo. Tulad ng mga followers ni John the Baptist. Hindi katanggap tanggap sa kanila that John the Baptist had plummeted in influence and popularity. But John the Baptist won’t be fooled. He refused to be dragged into competing and being compared with Jesus. Ang gagawin ni John the Baptist babalikan niya kung sino sya at kung ano ang calling niya mula sa Diyos.

Tulad ni John the Baptist, when you are secure in your identity and calling, you too will be able to withstand the shaking that the increasing in Jesus and decreasing of self may bring. At ito ay makikita lamang natin kay Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:10 declares that in Christ, we are complete. Anything else is insufficient. Do not let yourself be defined by the standards of this world nor by what others say. Hold on to what God says about you and what He has called you to do in and through Jesus Christ.

Pause & reflect

Are you secure in your identity and calling? Where and what are you basing your identity upon? Is your identity rooted in Jesus Christ? Humingi ka ng tawad sa Diyos sa mga pagkakataong nagtiwala ka sa iyong sarili at lakas. Isuko mo ang iyong sarili kay Hesus. Tanggapin mo ang identity at calling ni Jesus Christ para sa yo.

Pray

Pray for our children and the youth. The world is pushing them to believe lies about their God-given identity. Pray that they will be protected from the deceptions of this world. Pray that our children and the youth will be discipled to be strong and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. 

Pray for the church, the pastors and workers. Pray that the church will remain faithful to Jesus and His truth. Pray against increasing pressure to compromise the truth and the standard of God. 

Pray for the upcoming election of the Board of Elders. Pray for God to select and uphold each elder in their God-given identity and calling.

Prayer of commitment

Dear Lord, tulungan mo ako na maisabuhay ang mga bagay na ni-reveal mo sa akin. Gawin mong katotohanan sa aking buhay ang mga bagay na aking natutunan. Empower me oh Lord, that Jesus in me may increase as I decrease.

Amen.