Over the past week Father has been speaking to me a great deal about restoration and redeeming that which many of us may mistakenly believe we have lost. There have been times here where I feel forgotten by God. I’m learning that’s not true and that even in the darkest times He remembers. I admit that I don’t always have the faith I should and sometimes it seems impossible. As is His way with me, He has been increasing my faith through my garden.
Lessons From the Farm
Every day I go out and check on its progress. The peas have done amazing! I have to make a trellis for them to climb quickly. The tomatoes, well I watch them grow every single day – literally! I even had to remove a couple of blossoms on them so they could focus on growing roots and leaves right now. The corn is growing and I’m believing I’ll get a little more harvest this year than a few ears of baby corn. My peppers, which never grew an inch last year are actually growing this year. The bush beans are doing really well, sage, oregano, and thyme are coming along nicely.
I say all this to explain what God was showing me about myself and so many others who may feel left behind or forgotten in their calling, or who may have taken a few detours or sabbaticals along the journey. The Prodigal son took quite a big detour (Luke 15:11-31). I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t doubt that he felt forgotten by his father in his despair even though the choice was his. The Apostles took a really big detour at the crucifixion; especially Peter. They all fled, but Peter denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:30-35, 69-75). This was probably just a couple of hours after declaring that he’d never leave His side and would die with Him. When he realized what he had done he wept bitterly. I’ve been there. Have you ever wept bitterly knowing you abandoned God? In those times you feel forgotten or maybe, more appropriately, you feel unworthy.
The Resurrection of Hope
Something amazing happened after Jesus was resurrected. Jesus had not forgotten Peter. In John 21 we see the resurrected Jesus spending some final time with his disciples before He ascends to Heaven. Starting with verse 15 through 19 Jesus begins the restoration of Peter.
Just as Peter denied Jesus three times at the crucifixion, so Jesus three times restores the call on Peter’s life and seals it with the call to Follow Him. After Jesus ascended Peter stepped into leadership of the Christians and on Pentecost when the Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit Peter gave a sermon (Acts 2:14-41) explaining what was happening through the word of God. When he was finished the people asked what they needed to do. On that day about 3,000 people were born again into the Kingdom of God!
God has NOT Forgotten You!
I’m here to tell you God still sees you and still calls you. You are not forgotten by God and every detour still takes you back to the original path. You may have lost some time and maybe even your faith, zeal, and even forgotten who He said you are, but it’s nothing that He cannot redeem. None of it is lost forever and chances are that your time away may very well have worked to create a deeper love and desire for His will in your life when you finally step back on the path.
Follow HIM!
Have you been feeling forgotten? He hasn’t forgotten you. He loves you very much. Drop a reply here…
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