What Does It Mean?

THE BIBLE IS FASCINATING FOR MANY REASONS, but the diversity of its characters makes it remarkable. Kings and queens, believers and doubters. Virgins and prostitutes, saints and liars. Through the Word of God, we come face-to-face with the triumphs of imperfect people who dared to answer their call.

Being "called" doesn't mean that we're perfect or even qualified. It simply means that God has a purpose for our lives. It also means that he has a plan for everything in our lives. It can be hard to fathom God's purpose for our hardships, but the Bible teaches that God always has a greater plan: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (Romans 5:3-4).

I marvel when I think of Harriet Tubman's calling. Born a slave, she escaped to freedom and became the most renowned "conductor" of the Underground Railroad. The appalling conditions of slavery offered only two reasonable options: freedom or death. After Harriet escaped, she returned to the South a myriad of times and escorted hundreds of slaves to freedom. Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison called Harriet the "Moses" of her people.

Like Harriet Tubman, you are called to do something special for God, so dare to do it! It might be hard to imagine, but even your struggles are paving the way to your purpose. Therefore, don't be bound by your past or enchained by your limitations. Let the Lord set you free. For in due time, your freedom will free many others.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Set me free from everything that keeps me from fulfilling my purpose.

In Jesus' name, amen.

STRENGTH IN THE WORD

The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

TODAY I DECLARE

God has a calling on my life, and I will answer it.

JOURNAL ENTRY

What do you sense God calling you to do? Write down your dreams and passions.

Journal away!

* KEEPSAKE

"Let the Lord set you free."

Do You Accept the Definition?

IF I WERE TO ASK YOU TO LIST YOUR GIFTS, you would likely name attributes that someone brought to your attention. Maybe a teacher praised you for being a math whiz or a skilled writer. Perhaps a relative called you an excellent cook or a beautiful singer. The positive words spoken over our lives influence what we call ourselves. In fact, the opposite is also true. Some adults are still trapped by the characterizations that they were given as children. Even as grown-ups, the deprecating voice of a parent or teacher continues to hold them back.

In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Jabez refused to accept his mother's negative definition of who he was. Because of her insufferable labor pains, she named him Jabez, meaning "He will cause pain." Jabez's name announced that he was a conveyer of grief, not a source of joy; he was an affliction, not a blessing. But Jabez prayed and asked God to redefine his name: "'Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!' And God granted him his request."

I don't know what you've been called in the past, but the only definition that matters is the one that God gives you — and the one that you give yourself. You have the power to define your name. If you've been called a failure, redefine yourself as a winner. If you've been called broke, redefine yourself as prosperous. If you've been called unloved, redefine yourself as treasured. Today, you can replace every negative definition.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Strip me of every negative definition that's been spoken over my life.

In Jesus' name, amen.

STRENGTH IN THE WORD

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous.

PSALM 139:14

TODAY I DECLARE

Other people won't define me.

JOURNAL ENTRY

How do you define yourself?

Journal away!

* KEEPSAKE

"You have the power to define Your name."

Are You Bound?

AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, we've all been pinned "between a rock and a hard place." Yet few of us would be willing to amputate an arm in order to be set free. But that's what Aron Ralston did — with a dull pocketknife. While he was climbing over heavy boulders in his hiking path, one of them rolled and trapped his right hand. Five days after unsuccessfully trying to free himself, Aron cut off his right forearm to save his life. It's a true story that's documented in his memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and it's the subject of the Oscar-nominated film 127 Hours.

Aron Ralston had to choose between the arm that he wanted and the life that he needed. Our spiritual choices face a similar crossroad. There will be things that we want to keep (like relationships and habits), but God will ask us to let them go. The freeing decision will be a matter of spiritual life or death. In Matthew 5:30, Jesus instructs, "If your hand — even your stronger hand — causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you...