That's Not For You

I'm always surprised at how much time passes from one post to the next. As I wrote in"Blank", back in March (previous post), sometimes there just isn't much to say. I'm not sure what that says about my life...maybe I'm incredibly busy...nope, that's not it! Maybe I'm incredibly boring...that feels a little closer to the truth. At this stage of life I will take boring over the alternative.

I chose to write today because one phrase has been lingering on my mind since I heard it. That usually means there is something worth writing about. I heard the phrase while watching The Chosen. I've heard a lot about this series but until recently I hadn't taken the time to watch it.

The character portraying Jesus came on the scene at the end of episode 1. He approached a woman who was in great torment. She was in what looked like a pub about to take a drink of something that I'm sure I'm meant to assume is wine or some other alcoholic beverage. The character of Jesus touched her hand gently and said, "That's not for you." I didn't get the idea He was telling her that because it was an alcoholic beverage, I got the sense that He was telling her that because of the state of mind she was in and she was seeking escape from her torment through those means. Whatever the intent, that is not my point in writing this.

It is that phrase that I just can't shake, "That's not for you". I'm not sure why this continues to be etched in my mind days later, but there it remains. It's as if it has rested on me. This phrase doesn't make me anxious. It brings me peace. It doesn't make me spiteful because He's telling me no. It brings me peace.

Peace because He is all knowing. Peace because He knows what is for me and what is not.

"That's not for you!"

He said those words ever so gently, with nothing but love in His voice, and that is how I still hear it, "That's not for you!"

It makes me think of how many times I have taken things, sought after things that were not meant for me. It makes me think of the times that I ignored that still, small voice and continued to chase after the things that were not for me.

It makes me think of the things I still long for today that are not for me.

Our walk with the Lord is not a one size fits all. We are each meant to have our own unique relationship with Him. That's what a relationship is, unique to each of its members. I think sometimes we compare our walk with the Lord with others who walk with the Lord. I cannot compare the blessings that God chooses to bestow on one person with the blessings He chooses to bestow on me. Some things aren't for me while they may be perfectly suited for another.

Some things also aren't for you. I'm not speaking on forbidden things really, I mean those aren't for you either, but it could be things that appear to be good on the outside but maybe there is something buried beneath the surface that just isn't meant for you. It could be a job, a promotion, a house, a car, a friendship, anything really. Every single thing we want, the things that we desire the most, aren't necessarily meant for us.

I'm not sure if this resonates with anyone else but it resonated with me. Maybe because I have a very healthy appetite for wanting things, things that I probably don't need and things that I probably shouldn't want!

Hearing this phrase has caused me to pause and wonder, "is this for me?" I now pray for God to take away my desire for things that are not meant for me. I pray that He align the desires of my heart with the desires He has for me. After all, wanting something that is outside of the will of God is futile.

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.'" -Isaiah 55:8. (NIV)

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

As I thought about sharing this topic something else stood out to me in this scene.

The woman in torment responded harshly to the character of Jesus. She told Him to leave her alone and she walked outside. As she walked away, she drank the very drink that He just told her was not for her. She directly disobeyed what He told her. Now, in her defense she did not know, just yet, that this man was Jesus.

His response to her is what stood out to me. He calmly followed her outside and lovingly spoke to her. He revealed His identity to her and promptly healed her from her torment. He did not scold her for not listening to Him. He did not speak harshly for turning away from Him. He did not chastise her for drinking the drink. He calmed her fears. He lovingly spoke to her and He claimed her as His own.

He spoke to her the words we find in Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV), "Thus says the Lord who created you. And he who formed you. Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine."

There have been many times in my life that I have responded just as this woman, actually worse. I knew I was responding to the Lord. I still did not listen. There have been seasons where I have directly disobeyed Him. There have even been times that I turned from Him in rebellion.

Our natural response is to think that He is angry with us or that He cannot tolerate our rebellious nature but this is just not true. Listen, I have grieved Him terribly by some of my actions BUT He has always responded to me just as He did to this woman.

He has met me with compassion. He has met me with love. He is not angry with me. He sees my heart. He meets me in my struggles. He encourages me to learn, do better and tell others so they may in turn learn, do better, and tell others.

He will do the same for you! I'm not special. He will chase after you just like He chased after me! He will meet you in your struggle when you acknowledge Him. He will lovingly walk with you through everything that torments you if you will surrender it to Him.

These two things I leave you with:

1. "That's not for you!" What does this phrase mean to you? For me, it's to pause and think before I want or I take. To ask myself or better yet to ask the Lord, "Is this for me?"

2. Be kind to yourself. You've messed up! We ALL have! He's not mad at you! He loves you and is simply waiting for you to receive His love! Claim your kinship! He says in Isaiah 43:2, "...You are mine."

You are meant to be His! Claim it!

Until next time...