Set Apart
I have always been afraid to pray for certain things, knowing how God moves and answers prayer.
For example, when I prayed for patience, I was met with circumstances that taught me copious amounts of patience. While I was frustrated in the middle of these situations, in hindsight I have learned a few key things about myself and how to manage when I need patience most. It has prepared me for dealing with other people and circumstances mostly out of my control.
So, when I first started praying for clarity, I was a little apprehensive. I wanted to have clarity without the process of learning about it. I just wanted my eyes open (or so I thought) to whatever it was I felt I kept missing.
Clarity is like patience. God knows what he is doing by not immediately opening my eyes to things I was not ready for. While I have had a few glimpses of clarity, I understand some things remain hidden, likely for my protection.
But when clarity hit-whew.
I didn’t expect the answer I received, and yes, I said “answer”, as in one answer. While my question was multi-faceted, the answer I received came in the form of one single moment of clarity which repeated itself over and over.
The answer?
I am set apart.
Every time I struggle with understanding why I am left feeling like an outsider, I hear the whisper.
Every time I sit in wonder at a comment or revelation that I cannot get my head wrapped around, I hear the whisper.
Every time I feel left out and left alone because I choose a different path, I hear the whisper.
Set apart. I always wondered what that meant. I admit I was not surprised. I think praying for clarity really opened my eyes to some things I hadn’t seen before. It also reminded me of things I once knew and had forgotten.
There are several scriptures about being set apart. I have a couple of favorites.
In context, each of these scriptures points to a kept promise of God. Context is so important when referring to scripture. In order to completely understand the New Testament promises you really need to at minimum read and study the Old Testament covenants. (All of them, not just the big ones which seem to be popular like Noah and David)
In these verses, being set apart means God commits to keeping you with him, and you commit to keeping him with you. It’s reciprocal. It also means He has a plan, an actual plan for your life.
You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. (The words of the Lord speaking to Moses)
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. (A Psalm of David)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (The words of Jeremiah, recalling what God said to him)
Having clarity about being set apart has given me the confidence to move forward with whatever God has in store for me. It doesn’t mean knowing my future here on this earth, it means knowing my future after I am finished.
And that is the most important part of my future.
XOXO,
