Don't Waste Now

Just getting around to posting my insights from Day 10 of DWG. The next three days' study is on being chosen.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Romans 8:28-30

Today I'm reminded that we are called to holiness. I love that this verse says that God chose us to be conformed to the image of His Son. And Romans 12:2 tells us to not conform to the pattern of this world. We are not called to be like the world. We are called to be like Jesus. Our identity is found in Jesus. The more we become like Him, the more we become who God created us to be, the more we discover who we really are and the more we love, and are confident in, who we are.

A calling requires a response. The word called means summon or invite. When you receive an invitation or summons to something, you're usually expected to respond. We see throughout the Bible God calling men and women to follow Him. They either did or they didn't. It's a choice. He knows the choice we will make.

But, what are we being called to? Holiness. Before the beginning of time, it was God's plan for the called to conform to Jesus' likeness. I don't know about you, but that blows my mind. To know that long before I was born, God probably said, "I see Wendy. I have plans for Wendy. I'm going to do great things through Wendy. Wendy will be a likeness of my Son."

And in all of my life things, good and bad, God was working for my good. Because I love Him and I'm called to His purpose (not my own). Because He wants me to be conformed to the image of Jesus. He chose me, He called me, He justified me (approved by grace and made right in His eyes) and He glorified me (bestow honor, value, hold in high regard).

You and I are alive today, at this time in history, for a reason. God, in His foreknowledge, chose us and called us for such a time as this. We could have been born during a previous time in history or we could be born into a future time. But, we're here now.

We're chosen now. We're called now. For a purpose now. To be more like Jesus now. To do great things for God now. Let's not waste now!