Called and Set Apart

I rejoice in the fact, My Lord, that You called me to be Your child and set me apart to be holy and serve You alone.  There is an inherited beauty associated with belonging to You.  Because You drew me to Yourself, I feel prized and cherished.  You alone know what it is like to be holy and You’ve invited me to become holy and be transformed into Your likeness.  In You lies all justice, mercy, love, forgiveness and patience … and I long to possess those same qualities myself.  Being set apart and called to be holy requires that I turn my back on the enticements of the world and the occasions of sin.  Being set apart demands putting You in the forefront of everything I say or do.  I am drawn to You and Your love like a moth is drawn to light.  To refuse Your love is not only wrong … it is perverse and shameful.  To not love You with all of my heart, mind and spirit is a disgraceful mistake.

To be set apart means I must be willing to conform to Your will … follow Your leadership … deny myself … and, bear my cross with patient perseverance.  My devotion should compel me to fall before You ceaselessly with praise and thanksgiving.  I must stay close to You so You can rescue me from the consequences of my missteps and bad choices.  I know You will hold me accountable for my misbehavior when I try to go my own way.  I am grateful for the mercy You bestow upon me and I will strive to never take it for granted.  I treasure Your gift of salvation and accept the responsibilities that come with being an “elect” … called and set apart.  Selfishness and self-seeking are the biggest obstacles that keep me from becoming holy and separated like You want.  With Your help, I will devote myself to overcoming the things that hold me back and keep me from becoming more like You.

I know that when You called me You had a purpose for my life … something for me to accomplish for You.  An important role that I must be willing to accept is that of being a messenger for You.  Another is to share Your love with those who are lost and downcast … to reach out to those who have been blinded and whose ears are deaf to Your calls.  From my birth You have known me and wanted me to be Your own.  I have gladly accepted You invitation to become a servant so I can serve in Your house forever.  When I acted on my own, I labor without a purpose … I expend energy on things that do not last … but, since I’ve responded to Your call, my life is full of meaning and contentment.  You are the Rock and I am the precious stone that has been hewn from You.  Because I have been set apart for Your purposes, I know that You will always remember me and care for my needs.  You have made the choice to love and die for me … it is my choice to separate myself for You and service to others.  And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray.  AMEN!!

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose You and appointed You to go and bear fruit … fruit that will last.