"I have made you"

[From March 10, 2009]

"No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations."
(Genesis 17:5)

Abe's getting a name change. From Abram to Abraham. Might not seem like a big deal, but his new moniker means "Father of a Multitude." Abe is 99. He has exactly one child. Ishmael. A son born to his wife's servant girl. God had promised to make him a father of a multitude... but Abe and Sarai weren't getting very far in that dept. on their own, so Sarai gave Abe a "get started" gift. Although a son was born, Sarai wasn't pleased with the aftermath (quite a bit of jealousy surfaced between both women).

So now God changes Abe's name. A name that reminds him daily of what his identity is (though he still only has ONE child!). But I noticed something in how god spoke to Abe. God said, 'I HAVE MADE YOU the ancestor of a multitude of nations.' In the next 3 verses God says, 'I WILL make/establish/give" 4 times... indicating a future action. But in v.5, God says, "I have made you..."

When we're created - brought into this world - God has a plan for our lives (should we choose to accept it!). It may take over 100 years for us to grow into that role (see Abe!), but God sees us that way, nonetheless. Wow. What divine vision.

So did God know when I was born that I'd become a "shepherd of the flock"? Probably. But it's not just a career/occupation thing. I believe it's a sense of where we fit into the grand scope of God's Kingdom. Our task is to listen closely to the Spirit's whispers and follow the divine nudging to embrace that vision of ourselves!

What about you? Have you sensed God's "big picture" for your life? If not, don't fret. Abe figured it out at age 99!

PRAYER: Thank you for forming, creating, naming, gifting and calling me, O God. Keep me square in the vision of who You've made me to be. I want to follow Your guidance! AMEN.